Joint operation of the Tax Agency and the National Police

• Almost 9.5 tons of narcotic substance seized, hidden in banana boxes, in a sea container from Ecuador

• More than 30 different logos were detected in the illegal shipment, which correspond to the different European criminal organisations receiving the alijo

• The criminal organisation responsible for supplying cocaine to the most powerful networks in Europe had a broad business network for shipping containers from Ecuador to Spain

25 August 2023 .- Employees of the Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency, in a joint operation with agents of the National Police, have seized the largest cocaine alijo in Spain to date in the Port of Algeciras (Cádiz).

Specifically, Operation NANO has involved almost 9.5 tons of narcotic substance in a refrigerated container that, from Ecuador, were transported hidden inside banana boxes.

More than 30 different logos were detected in the illegal shipment, which correspond to the different European criminal organisations receiving the alijo. The criminal organisation responsible for supplying cocaine to the most powerful networks in Europe had a broad business network, for shipping containers from Ecuador to Spain.

The first investigations of the operation-which are part of the Southern Plan for the fight against drug trafficking in the Gibraltar- began in July when agents became aware of the existence of a criminal organisation responsible for supplying cocaine from South America to Europe. The researchers detected that the network had a broad business network for the sending of drugs from Ecuador to our country through different Spanish ports, mainly Algeciras and Vigo.

Broad business network with great logistical capacity

The researchers showed that the organisation operated through a company dedicated to international banana trade in Machala (Ecuador). From there they sent the goods in containers to different Spanish companies controlled by members of the criminal network.

After several administrative steps, the researchers of the Customs Surveillance Service and the National Police demonstrated the great logistical capacity of the network, able to send 40 containers a month to Europe, finding that some of them were contaminated with the narcotic substance.

It was from that moment that Customs officials began to control the organisation's shipments and a total of 15 containers were detected that allegedly would enter Europe in early August. For this reason, the mandatory device was established in the Port of Algeciras, to carry out its inspection.

9,436 Kilos of cocaine seized with more than 30 different logos

Finally, on 23 August, researchers found a refrigerated container with 9,436 kilos of cocaine, which means the largest alijo seized in Spain to date. The drug was hidden inside banana boxes and had more than 30 different logos, which correspond to the different European criminal organisations receiving this alijo.

This operation has caused an unprecedented blow to one of the most important criminal organizations worldwide in the distribution of cocaine whose recipients were the main criminal networks in Europe.

The corresponding proceedings have been instructed of the events, which, together with the effects that have been brought to the attention of the Judicial Authority.