Spanish police have made a historic drug bust, seizing 30 tons of cocaine from the Comoro Island-flagged ship Arconian off the Canary Islands. The operation, conducted on May 1 in collaboration with U.S. and Dutch authorities, resulted in the detention of the 23-member crew without bail. The cocaine’s estimated value exceeds 812 million euros ($956 million), significantly surpassing the previous European record of 25 tons seized in Hamburg in June 2024 and Spain’s own record of 13 tons from a shipment of Ecuadorean bananas last year.
Authorities believe the cocaine was intended for transfer to high-speed boats for smuggling into mainland Spain. During the operation, police discovered firearms and ammunition onboard, and six crew members were found hiding from officers. The crew consists mainly of 17 members from the Philippines, while the six hiding were from the Netherlands and Suriname.
The High Court has ordered the crew’s detention, citing the seriousness of the charges, potential flight risks, and concerns over ongoing criminal activity as the investigation continues. Police are expected to provide more details about the operation on Friday.
