• The operation resulted in the seizure of 52 25-liter fuel containers from a van at the Marina del Este marina (Almuñécar).

July 22, 2026. Customs Surveillance of the Tax Agency and the Civil Guard, in the framework of a joint operation, have arrested six people between 20 and 54 years of age as alleged perpetrators of the crimes of smuggling, belonging to a criminal group and against public order for supplying fuel to 'narco-boats' on the coast of Granada. 

The operation began at the beginning of February, when several boats carrying prohibited goods, commonly known as 'narco-boats', sought refuge on the coast of Almuñécar-La Herradura due to the severe storm affecting the Granada coast.

Due to the presence of these vessels, the agents carried out actions to identify their occupants and determine their possible link with criminal organizations dedicated to drug trafficking. These vessels are often used to supply other 'narco-boats' on the high seas and, sometimes, to transport irregular migrants.

Adverse weather conditions prevented maritime navigation, so the investigation focused on surveillance and monitoring from land. During these actions, the agents detected a van that accessed the Marina del Este marina after breaking the entrance barrier to the premises and that went to one of the pontoons, where one of the boats sheltering on the coast approached to refuel.

The two occupants of the van were later identified by a Citizen Security patrol of the Civil Guard of Almuñécar, although at that time there was still not enough evidence to link them to the criminal activity.

The following morning, the same van returned to the port to carry out another refueling operation for one of the vessels. On this occasion, those involved were surprised by the agents during the transfer of fuel and, upon noticing the police presence, they hastily abandoned the van, jumped from the dock to the boat and fled by sea to avoid arrest.

The investigators seized the vehicle used for refueling and the cargo it was carrying, consisting of 52 jerrycans of fuel, each 25 liters. The inspection carried out on the van yielded new clues that proved crucial in identifying another member of the group.

Furthermore, the analysis of video surveillance images obtained in different establishments and points of interest in the area made it possible to determine the participation of three other people in the events under investigation.

Finally, thanks to the evidence and clues gathered during the operation, the agents were able to identify and arrest six members of the criminal group.

Three of the arrests were carried out on June 4 in the town of Algeciras (Cadiz), while the remaining three were carried out on June 9 in Almuñécar (Granada).

The investigation has been carried out by the Motril Operational Unit of Customs Surveillance of the Tax Agency and the Territorial Team of Judicial Police of the Civil Guard of Almuñécar, with the collaboration of the Citizen Security patrols of the Main Post of the Civil Guard of Almuñécar and of the Civil Guard Company of Motril.