Else Beekman
Spain is witnessing a significant increase in cocaine trafficking, with drug enforcement agents warning that the situation is reaching levels comparable to the heroin epidemic of the 1980s and 90s. According to the latest data from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, authorities seized 117 tonnes of cocaine in 2023, more than double the 58 tonnes confiscated in the previous year.
This sharp rise in drug seizures not only points to the effectiveness of law enforcement operations, but also to the increasing availability and consumption of cocaine in Spain. A senior officer from the National Police’s anti-drug unit in Galicia explained, “The price of cocaine on the black market remains the same as it was 20 years ago, indicating that supply is rising to meet demand.”
Cocaine use at historic levels
While heroin use was visibly devastating in the past, the effects of cocaine are often less obvious. This has led to the misconception that cocaine use is not as widespread. However, the reality is quite different. “Cocaine consumption in Spain is reaching levels similar to the heroin crisis of the 80s and 90s,” the officer added.
Herewith, cocaine is one of the fastest-growing drugs in terms of consumption in Spain. This surge comes at a time when the substance is playing an increasingly significant role in overall addiction rates.
According to the latest Survey on Alcohol and Other Drugs in Spain (EDADES), published by the Ministry of Health, 13% of individuals aged 15 to 64 admit to having used powdered cocaine at least once in their lives. This figure has increased by 282% over the past three decades. In 1995, only 3.4% of the population within this age group reported having consumed the drug.
The Ministry of the Interior’s data on drug-related arrests and trafficking offences also supports this increased consumption. The latest statistics show a marked increase in cocaine-related criminal activity across various regions. Therefore, the growing influence of the drug market is evident.
Galicia as major entry point for cocaine
Especially in Galicia, the cocaine trade has reached a critical point. With its rugged coastline and numerous inlets, Galicia is the Spanish region with the longest stretch of coastline—1,490 kilometres, compared to Andalucia’s 910 kilometres. This makes it a prime entry point for drug smugglers. Drug trafficking is expanding rapidly, cocaine use is increasing, and prices are dropping significantly. The Albanian mafia, growing in power, is tightening its grip on the region. Spanish police have raised the alarm: “This is a lost war. All we can do now is try to limit the damage.”
Despite Galicia’s strategic importance in the fight against drug trafficking, it has significantly fewer police officers compared to Andalucia. While Andalucia has over 12,000 National Police officers, Galicia has only around 3,400. This imbalance puts additional strain on law enforcement in the region, making it harder to combat drug smuggling effectively.
Calls for more resources and specialised training
The Spanish Confederation of Police (CEP), a major police union, has called for increased resources to address the cocaine crisis. They argue that simply increasing the number of officers is not enough. More advanced tools, such as high-speed patrol boats, are needed to intercept drug shipments before traffickers can dump their cargo at sea.
Additionally, the CEP is advocating for better training and recognition of anti-drug specialisation within the National Police. Unlike other law enforcement agencies, Spain’s National Police does not have a specialised narcotics division. “We learn through experience in anti-drug units rather than through formal academic training, which other police forces do have,” an officer explained. This lack of structured training means that when an experienced officer is transferred to another province, they often have to start over, integrating into a different unit without formal recognition of their expertise.