The Guardia Civil and the Aduana Surveillance Service recently arrested members of a criminal organization in Galicia that provided customized narco speedboats and outboard motors to drug trafficking and human trafficking operations in the waters of the Strait of Gibraltar. These individuals did not produce or transport the drugs themselves, but played a key role in the illegal trafficking. The investigation revealed that the organization had attempted to smuggle over 4,300 kilos of cocaine and 4,500 kilos of hashish into the Peninsula using the high-speed boats they provided. During the operation, eight boats, 25 powerful motors, and nautical equipment were seized, and a complex network of companies used for money laundering was uncovered.
The now-detained individuals offered a range of services to drug traffickers in the Strait of Gibraltar, from outboard motors to fully equipped boats for transporting illegal goods. The materials for these boats were purchased and assembled in Portugal, taking advantage of different laws regarding these types of boats in the two countries. Spain declared illegal the possession of these boats by private individuals in 2018, enabling the confiscation of these vessels even if they were not carrying drugs at the time of capture. The operation, known as “Operation Vozka,” follows a fatal incident two months prior in which a high-speed boat collided with a Guardia Civil vessel, resulting in the death of two officers.
The connection between traffickers operating in the Strait of Gibraltar and criminal organizations in Galicia and Portugal is becoming increasingly apparent. A previous operation had dismantled a major network of narcotransporters using high-speed boats between the Península and North Africa. The latest operation involves over 100 agents from the Guardia Civil and the Aduana Surveillance Service, as well as specialized units including dog teams and helicopters from A Coruña. The investigation is ongoing, with the possibility of additional arrests in the future.
The impact of these criminal activities reaches far beyond the immediate regions, as demonstrated by the tragic incident in Barbate, Cádiz. The successful operations carried out by law enforcement agencies in recent months have disrupted major drug trafficking networks and highlighted the complex interconnections between criminal organizations operating across international borders. Investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the relationships between different criminal groups and the suppliers of illegal goods and services. The role of Spain and Portugal as hubs for narco-trafficking operations is a concerning trend that requires ongoing vigilance and coordinated efforts to combat.
