European law enforcement agencies, particularly those from Spain and Portugal, are intensifying their efforts against drug smuggling in Atlantic waters. They are showing tremendous leadership to address this critical challenge. These operations have led to record-breaking seizures of narco-submarines and cocaine shipments. Just a few weeks ago, Portuguese police pulled off a record bust, intercepting almost nine tonnes of cocaine in the Atlantic near the Azores.
In an unprecedented operation last week, Portuguese authorities intercepted a semi-submersible drug vessel some 230 nautical miles off the Azores. This particular narco-sub was carrying nearly 6.5 tonnes of cocaine bound for European markets. The successful interception highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling sophisticated drug trafficking operations.
At the same time, Spanish police announced a different seizure – 3.6 tonnes of cocaine introduced to Galicia by yet another narco-submarine. Regrettably, the intercepted vessel sank while being intercepted. It even took 35 bales of cocaine down with it to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. These incidents are indicative of a disturbing trend by drug traffickers. They’re smarter about moving drugs more sophisticatedly over international waters.
The first fully laden narco-submarine discovered in European waters was found in Galicia in 2019, carrying three tonnes of cocaine. This was a historic step forward in the European Union’s efforts to combat international drug trafficking. Spain’s National Police used a year-long investigation to dismantle a huge cocaine smuggling operation. It resulted in the arrest of 105 traffickers and seizure of 10.4 tonnes of cocaine in the last year alone. In addition, law enforcement officials confiscated 30 boats engaged in these illegal operations.
Alberto Morales, a street-smart expert on drug trafficking, explained the new crazy strategies that drug cartels started to use to outsmart law enforcement.
“The price of the merchandise is really, really low, so the organisations have, logically, had a rethink,” – Alberto Morales
Increasingly from the 1980s onward, drug trafficking organizations have begun utilizing semi-submersible vehicles in these clandestine operations. They originally come from Colombia, and have since established invasive populations across much of South and Central America. They did not become established in European waters until 2006. To their surprise, it was at this time that the researchers found an abandoned submarine in one of Galicia’s estuaries.
“Rather than sink them, what they do now is unload the merchandise and set up a refuelling platform at sea so that the semi-submersibles can head back to the countries they came from and make as many journeys as possible,” – Alberto Morales
The implications of these seizures are far-reaching, with impounded drugs likely worth as much as €600 million (£520 million). Authorities are working tirelessly to thwart the operations of organized crime groups that rely on sophisticated methods to move large quantities of narcotics across borders.
The implications of these seizures are significant, with impounded drugs potentially worth up to €600 million (£520 million). Authorities are working tirelessly to thwart the operations of organized crime groups that rely on sophisticated methods to move large quantities of narcotics across borders.