A joint operation by the Tax Agency and the Guardia Civil

• The 1,340 kilos of cocaine were hidden inside bags of cocoa powder located in the deepest part of four containers using the 'blind hook' method in a shipment from Ecuador
• The rapid action of the investigators has prevented the release of this large quantity of cocaine, which would have had a significant economic and public health impact.

January 31, 2023.- Members of the Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency and the Civil Guard have seized 1,340 kilos of cocaine in the Port of Barcelona that was camouflaged in sacks of cocoa powder in a shipment from Ecuador.

The seizure occurred when agents learned of the existence of a criminal organization dedicated to introducing cocaine hidden in containers of merchandise into Spain through the port of Barcelona using the 'blind hook' method.

Investigations revealed that a merchant ship, coming from Guayaquil (Ecuador) bound for the port of Barcelona, was transporting containers that could have hidden drugs inside.

Once in Barcelona, the agents searched the containers whose legal merchandise was cocoa powder and discovered 1,340 kilos of cocaine hidden inside.

The investigation is still ongoing and efforts are continuing to locate the persons responsible for both the shipment and receipt of the drugs.

The operation was carried out by officers from the Barcelona Regional Customs Surveillance Operational Unit and the Judicial Police Unit of the Civil Guard in the Catalonia Zone.