Lorraine Williamson
Spanish authorities seized 13 tonnes of cocaine in October 2024 at the port of Algeciras, marking the largest drug bust in the country’s history. The drugs were concealed in a container loaded with bananas from Ecuador.
The container, numbered TCLU1210545, had been shipped from Guayaquil, a known departure point for cocaine trafficked into Europe. It was bound for Abadix Fruits, a company based in Alicante. Authorities believe this company served as a front for organised crime.
Attempts to distance from the cargo
Once the container was flagged for inspection, individuals linked to the shipment made efforts to disassociate themselves. In a series of emails, they raised concerns over delays and the state of the fruit: “It cannot be that containers stay in the port for an average of 2–3–4 weeks. We’re talking about perishable fruit, not nails or screws.”
Eventually, Abadix Fruits informed authorities that they would not be collecting the shipment.
High-level corruption inside the police force
The investigation revealed a complex criminal structure headed by Spanish national Ignacio Torán. Among the network’s key assets was police inspector Óscar Sánchez, who worked in the National Police’s Economic and Fiscal Crime Unit (UDEF).
Sánchez allegedly accessed police databases to monitor investigations and passed sensitive information to the criminal group. Authorities later discovered €20 million in cash during house searches, with some of it concealed inside walls.
A known smuggling route via Algeciras
This method of concealing drugs among banana shipments is not new. In 2023, nearly 10 tonnes of cocaine were seized at the same port under similar circumstances. Following a prior interception in 2021, the smugglers shifted to a different exporter, Quality-Ecuatoriana S.A., but the October 2024 shipment was still intercepted.
Abadix Fruits remained central to the operation despite the changes.
A Call for Reform and Stronger Oversight
The involvement of a high-ranking police officer has reignited concerns over internal corruption. Spanish authorities have committed to reviewing protocols and increasing scrutiny within law enforcement bodies.
They also plan to boost cooperation with international agencies, particularly in ports that act as entry points for South American cocaine.
This latest case underscores how corruption and organised crime continue to overlap, exploiting global trade routes and official networks.