A joint operation by the Tax Agency and the Guardia Civil

• The 1,340 kilos of cocaine were hidden inside the 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 researchers has prevented the circulation of this large amount 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 bags of cocoa powder in a shipment from Ecuador.

The seizure occurred when the agents became aware of the existence of a criminal organization dedicated to the introduction of cocaine hidden in merchandise containers in Spain through the port of Barcelona under the 'blind hook' method.

From the investigations carried out, it was learned that a merchant ship, coming from Guayaquil (Ecuador) to the port of Barcelona, was transporting containers likely to have drugs hidden inside.

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

The investigation remains open and work continues to locate the people responsible for both sending and receiving the drugs.

The intervention has been carried out by members of the Regional Customs Surveillance Operational Unit of Barcelona and the Judicial Police Unit of the Civil Guard of the Catalonia Zone.