Albanian mafia exploits Vigo Port for cocaine smuggling

Cocaine seizures on the rise

by Lorraine Williamson
cocaine seized at Vigo port

The port of Vigo, in Galicia, has emerged as a key hub for cocaine smuggling into Europe. Spanish authorities, including the National Police and Customs, have intensified their vigilance as the number of intercepted shipments at the port has surged.

In 2024, nearly 10 tons of cocaine were confiscated at Vigo port alone. This sharp increase follows the opening of a new shipping route between South America and Spain, launched in April 2023 by the German shipping company Hapag Lloyd. The route, designed for the legitimate transport of fruit and frozen fish, has also been exploited by criminal organisations.

Among these groups, the Albanian mafia, particularly the Balkan Clan, has used the route to smuggle cocaine into Europe. The mafia has leveraged the route’s regularity and vast cargo capacity to conceal drugs within legal shipments.

The “blind hook” smuggling technique

A favoured method of the Albanian mafia is the “blind hook” technique. In this approach, cocaine is hidden in containers carrying legitimate goods, such as frozen fish, without the knowledge of the sender or recipient. This tactic makes it significantly harder for authorities to trace the origins of the illegal cargo.

The Balkan Clan, a prominent Albanian mafia group, is believed to control much of the cocaine smuggling into Europe. Despite numerous police operations targeting the organisation, it has continued to adapt its methods and expand its influence.

South American shipping route and Its role

Hapag Lloyd’s shipping route includes stops at key South American ports such as Buenaventura (Colombia), Paita (Peru), Guayaquil (Ecuador), and Manzanillo (Panama). These ports are notorious for being major cocaine export points. The route’s European destinations include Vigo, Málaga, Valencia, Barcelona, and several Italian ports.

This weekly schedule provides ample opportunities for smugglers. For instance, one recent operation uncovered over 1,000 kilograms of cocaine on the ship Cape Citius, which travelled from Ecuador to Vigo. The drugs were concealed among legal cargo.

Another significant bust occurred in December 2023 when Spanish authorities intercepted 7.5 tons of cocaine in Cambre, near A Coruña. This shipment, originating from Guayaquil, Ecuador, marked the largest cocaine seizure in Galician history and one of Spain’s largest.

The fight against cocaine smuggling

Spanish authorities have ramped up their efforts to combat smuggling networks operating through Vigo. Collaboration with international agencies such as the U.S. DEA and the UK’s NCA has been instrumental in tracking shipments from South America to Europe. This coordination has enabled authorities to identify and intercept suspicious vessels and containers.

In addition to intercepting shipments, Spanish police have made multiple arrests of individuals linked to the Albanian mafia. Despite these successes, the battle against organised crime at the port remains a challenging and ongoing effort.

A double-edged sword for trade

While the new shipping route between South America and Europe has boosted legitimate trade, particularly in fruit and frozen fish, it has also created opportunities for criminal exploitation. The Albanian mafia views the route as a reliable gateway for smuggling cocaine into Europe, making the fight against these operations a high priority for authorities.

A growing challenge for Vigo port

As Vigo becomes a focal point in Europe’s cocaine trade, Spanish authorities face mounting pressure to disrupt smuggling networks. Enhanced cooperation with international partners and continued vigilance will be crucial in tackling the activities of the Albanian mafia and other criminal groups.

The challenge now is to balance the economic benefits of the shipping route with the need for stringent security measures. As the fight against drug trafficking intensifies, Vigo port remains at the centre of a high-stakes battle between law enforcement and organised crime.

Also read: 13 tons of cocaine seized in banana shipment

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