Madrid, May 6 (SANA) Spanish authorities have seized one of the largest cocaine shipments in the country’s history after intercepting a cargo vessel in international waters off the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, according to Spanish media reports Tuesday.
According to El Mundo, the cocaine haul is estimated at between 30 and 45 tons and was described by officials as a “historic blow” to international drug trafficking networks.
Nearly 20 suspects were arrested during the operation after Spanish security forces boarded the vessel, which was reportedly sailing under the Comoros flag and heading to Benghazi.
Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska described the operation as one of the largest drug seizures at both the national and international levels.
The Spanish Civil Guard posted images on X showing large quantities of cocaine aboard the vessel, calling the operation “historic.”
Spanish authorities seized nearly 10 tons of cocaine in a similar operation in January.
R.H/Abd
