Joint operation of the Tax Agency, National Police and Argentine Federal Police (PFA)

165 kilos of cocaine hidden in a container from Argentina were seized through the 'blind hook' procedure

• The drug has been intercepted in the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife after being introduced into a container ship in the port of Zárate (Argentina)

• Eight members of this organization, dedicated to the maritime trafficking of narcotics through container ships between South America and Europe, have been arrested in Argentina, and $323,000 has been confiscated.

• The 'blind hook' or 'rip off' is a technique consisting of introducing the drug into a legal or empty container of merchandise to subsequently extract the drug at the port of destination.

May 12, 2022.- Officials of the Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency and agents of the National Police, in a joint operation with the Argentine Authorities (PFA), have developed an operation against a criminal organization based in Argentina and Europe, dedicated to maritime trafficking of narcotics through container ships.

The investigation began when the agents became aware of the existence of an organization of these characteristics. As a result of the investigation, it was possible to determine the 'modus operandi' that the organization used to transport drugs from Argentina to Europe, contaminating containers on board ships dedicated to the transport of goods through 'rip off' or 'blind hook'. to extract it once said vessels touched European ports.

The main objective of the organization was, through its branches in Europe, and specifically in Spain, to remove this narcotic substance when the vessel had arrived at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Continuing with the investigations carried out by the police forces involved, it was possible to identify the container, into which the organization had introduced the narcotic substance.

150 packages of cocaine weighing 165 kilos

The organization introduced the narcotic substance into the port of Zárate (Argentina), taking advantage of the connections that this organized group had in this port. In this way the introduced drugs headed to Spain.

Once the container ship reached the coast of the Canary Islands, in the early hours of April 18, 2022, the agents established a surveillance device for both the ship and the container that was in its hold.

During this period, the agents did not observe any suspicious movement of the container, nor any person who was preparing to extract the narcotic substance. Likewise, it was verified that the container seals had not been violated on board the ship. Taking this circumstance into account, the agents proceeded to open the container, finding five blue bags inside, with 150 packages of cocaine with a total approximate weight of 165 kilos.

Arrests in Argentina

Once the discovery of the drug was confirmed, the Argentine authorities proceeded to arrest the eight members of the organization, related to the introduction of the narcotic in the container in Argentina, as well as to search the homes of those arrested where they were found. $323,000.

The 'blind hook' or 'rip off' is a technique consisting of introducing the narcotic into a legal or empty merchandise container to subsequently extract the narcotic at the port of destination.