Joint Spanish-French Operation Seizes 4 Tons of Cocaine Near Canary Islands

On October 4, 2024, a joint operation by Spanish and French security forces targeted a Tanzanian-flagged vessel near the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in the seizure of approximately 4 tons of cocaine. The operation, named ‘Pascal-Lino 2024,’ took place 130 nautical miles northeast of Lanzarote and led to the arrest of all ten crew members on board. The vessel had raised suspicions due to its unusual activity of not loading or offloading any cargo, prompting authorities to investigate its movements.

The vessel’s journey began in Istanbul on July 28, 2024, with stops in Casablanca, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Egypt, before being intercepted near the Canary Islands. Analysis of the vessel’s route, port stops, and speed indicated a likely involvement of ghost ships from South American countries in transporting the seized drugs to be transferred to the vessel in the Atlantic Ocean. The drugs were intended for shipment to European countries, highlighting the complex nature of international drug trafficking operations.

The meticulous tracking of the vessel’s movements and activities by security forces underscores the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking across international waters. The successful interception near the Canary Islands and seizure of a significant amount of cocaine demonstrate the importance of international cooperation in tackling transnational crime. The detailed timeline of the vessel’s journey provides valuable insights into the modus operandi of drug traffickers and the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in disrupting their illicit activities.

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