• Four people have been arrested for drug trafficking and smuggling.

• The "narco-boats" were used both for transporting drugs and for fuel supply on the high seas.

• Along with the boats, 1,600 liters of gasoline and 346 kilos of hashish resin were seized.

May 18, 2025.- The Tax Agency's Customs Surveillance Unit, in a joint operation with the Civil Guard, has seized six drug trafficking vessels off the coast of Almería, in the Alboran Sea. Four people have been arrested for drug trafficking and smuggling as part of several operations carried out to stop criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking and illegal immigration. These networks operate primarily with "go-fast" vessels, which they also use to perform logistics tasks of fuel supply on the high seas, known as "petaqueo."

To this end, a deployment has been carried out to stop these organizations in an operation that has resulted in the seizure of six boats—pneumatic and semi-rigid—along with 346 kilos of hashish resin and 1,600 liters of fuel.

In addition to the interventions, this operation has allowed pressure to be exerted on illegal vessels trafficking in this area, which, faced with the police presence, are forced to retreat to areas more than 60 nautical miles from the Spanish coast.

The four people arrested are accused of crimes against public health and smuggling; for the handling and transportation of flammable substances that pose a risk to the safety of people and the environment; for damages; and for crimes of disobedience and attack against law enforcement officers.

These operations involved the Customs Surveillance Service with maritime, land, and air resources, as well as specialized land, sea, and air units of the Civil Guard, such as the Rapid Action Group (GAR), the Reserve and Security Group (ARS), the Maritime Service, the Air Service, and Citizen Security personnel.