In a major operation targeting drug trafficking in Andalucía, the Guardia Civil seized 35 drug boats (narcolanchas) and arrested 46 individuals throughout August.
The operation was conducted along the Gulf of Cádiz and the Guadalquivir River. Moreover, it is part of the Ministry of Interior’s ongoing Special Security Plan for Campo de Gibraltar.
Seized assets: Boats, drugs, and fuel
The operation resulted in the confiscation of 35 vessels. This included five high-speed boats and 30 smaller craft used for supplying fuel and provisions to the larger ones. In addition to the boats, the authorities seized the following;
- more than 6,000 kilograms of hashish
- 173,918 packs of cigarettes
- 47,146 litres of fuel
- five vehicles were also impounded
Key operations in August
On August 8, in the towns of Isla Cristina, Ayamonte, and Punta Umbría in the Huelva region, 1,530 kilograms of hashish, 9,500 litres of fuel, and 12 recreational boats were intercepted. Later in the month, on August 25, six boats and 15,450 litres of fuel were seized in the area of Los Caños de Sancti Petri, near Chiclana (Cádiz).
Multi-unit collaboration
This operation was coordinated by the Guardia Civil’s regional command in Andalucía, with participation from various units, including the Maritime Services of Cádiz and Huelva, the Air Service, the Rapid Action Group, and security forces from Huelva, Cádiz, and Seville.
These efforts are part of ongoing actions to combat drug trafficking organisations that operate in this region of southern Spain. Moreover, they focus on disrupting supply chains and transportation methods.
Also read: Dramatic rise of high-speed drug smuggling boats in southern Spain