In a major operation off the Canary Islands, Spanish authorities intercepted the yacht Lona, loaded with cocaine. The crew set the vessel ablaze, injuring one member who needed airlifting. Despite the fire, officers recovered 25 kilos of drugs, highlighting international cooperation against drug trafficking in the region.
Argentine authorities have made a significant breakthrough in organized crime with the largest drug seizure in Port San Lorenzo’s history. Investigations are ongoing after the ship’s cook confessed to involvement in smuggling. Authorities uncovered 469,500 kilos of cocaine, valued at nearly $6 million in Argentina, indicating professional gang involvement.
Gibraltar is making strides in combating drug smuggling with newly acquired underwater drones. A recent bust involved the bulker Great Zhou, where divers recovered 120 kg of cocaine hidden in its sea chest. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo commended HM Customs for their effective operation and commitment to fighting drug-related crime.
Nearly four tons of cocaine were seized and 16 individuals were arrested from two vessels off the coast of the Canary Islands in a major drug bust. The operation was a joint effort between French and Spanish customs, conducted under the authority of the Atlantic maritime prefect.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkey has pledged cooperation with Spanish and French authorities in investigating a Turkish-owned cargo ship involved in drug smuggling. The vessel, named Ras, was seized 130 miles from Lanzarote with 4,000 kilos of cocaine hidden on board. The interception revealed a sophisticated smuggling operation spanning multiple countries.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp9H6k6jHao[/embed]
Brazil’s Federal Police seized a large amount of cocaine on a bulker anchored offshore in Maranhao state. The crew discovered suspicious packages and alerted authorities, leading to an investigation. The vessel, named Jawor, was scheduled to dock for a soybean cargo destined for Spain. The police suspect crew involvement in the smuggling operation.
The Panama-registered, Vietnamese-owned bulker seized in India for suspected cocaine smuggling has left its crew stranded for months. The owners have not paid fees or posted a bond, leading to a court-ordered sale of the vessel to cover expenses. The crew’s fate remains uncertain as the owners fail to comply with court orders.
The Hellenic Coast Guard intercepted 34 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a shipment of bananas from South America, valued at €1 million. This discovery follows a joint effort between Greek and U.S. authorities to dismantle drug smuggling rings targeting Europe. Increased security measures are being implemented to combat the surge in drug smuggling activities.
More than two months after detaining a Vietnamese-owned bulker and its crew in one of India’s largest cocaine seizures, a court has set terms for the release of the ship. The Debi (37,196 dwt) has been held along with its crew of 21 Vietnamese citizens approximately three miles off Paradip Port in northeast India since early December when the drugs were discovered despite reports of depression and frustration among the crew. The court has ordered the ship owner to post a $12 million bond and provide a $1.2 million bank guarantee before the vessel is released. Earlier reports were that the crew was living aboard the ship waiting for the court. The Indian customs authority had initially detained the crew for interviews after they discovered 22 kg of cocaine with a street value of $26 million hidden aboard the bulker. The media had written that the Indian authorities confiscated the crew’s cellphones and computers leaving them virtually isolated and unable to contact family at home in Vietnam. The vessel’s third engineer jumped into the harbor and was taken to a hospital with injuries to his hand. Media reports called it a possible suicide attempt. The initial investigation indicated that the cocaine was intercepted with India not the intended destination. The authorities believed it was going to be removed from the ship only when it reached Europe.
