• The drugs were hidden among the legal merchandise using the "blind hook" method.
• The investigation remains open

November 22, 2024.- Customs Surveillance Officers of the Tax Agency, together with agents of the National Police, have seized 358 packages of cocaine with a total weight of 408 kilos in the port of Barcelona, which were traveling hidden in two containers using the method known as "blind hook".

The investigation began when the agents became aware of a possible shipment of one or more containers capable of transporting some narcotic substance inside, which would be stored separately from the declared legal cargo.

These containers, coming from Ecuador, were going to stop at the port of Barcelona by sea, where it was learned that the drugs would be unloaded by members of the criminal organization.

"Blind hook" or "rip-off" mode

The "blind hook" or "rip-off" method consists of introducing cocaine in a "parasitic" manner inside a container used for transporting goods by sea, together with the legal merchandise, without the knowledge of the operator managing the legal shipment, or of the exporting and importing companies.

Once the containers are in the port, the members of the organization, known as "rescuers", are in charge of collecting them. They clandestinely access the container, force the seal, remove the drugs, and reseal it by placing a new false seal.

Following several inquiries, an inspection was carried out at the port of Barcelona in search of the two containers. Once located, three burlap packages and nine sports bags were found in the first one, which contained a total of 232 "bricks" of cocaine; and in the second, another 126 packages of the same drug.

The investigation, carried out by the Tax Agency's Customs Surveillance Service in conjunction with the Provincial Brigade of the Judicial Police of the Superior Police Headquarters of Catalonia and the Central UDYCO, remains open.