• In total, the supply of 446 canisters of gasoline to boats used for drug trafficking has been thwarted in operations carried out in El Puerto de Santa María, next to the Guadalete River, and in Chiclana de la Frontera.

• Following further investigations, one person has been investigated for the illegal activity.

September 25, 2025.- Customs Surveillance officers from the Tax Agency in Cádiz have seized more than 11,000 liters of fuel, three boats, and a van in four operations targeting the logistics structures that serve drug trafficking criminal organizations in the province of Cádiz.

In the first operation, Customs Surveillance Service investigators learned of an operation to supply fuel canisters to high-speed vessels on the Guadalete River. Once the corresponding surveillance device was established, the arrival of a large van at high speed was detected on the riverbank, near Puerto de Santa María. Once arrested by investigators, the van's occupants fled. After inspecting the interior of the van, investigators discovered 163 fuel canisters. The van, which was reported stolen, and the fuel have been seized. Following further investigations, a person has been identified as the alleged perpetrator of the incident.

The second performance also took place on the Guadalete River. There, two vessels were identified that were transporting the flammable material. One of them was intervened by the Customs Surveillance patrol vessel 'Peregrino I', and the other vessel was sunk during the operation by the actions of those responsible. The crews of both boats managed to escape thanks to the assistance of a semi-rigid boat belonging to the organization. In this operation, 88 cans of gasoline were seized.

The third operation took place in the Sancti Petri canal in Chiclana de la Frontera, where, after locating several boats used to supply gasoline to drug trafficking semi-rigid boats, the crews decided to flee at high speed, throwing the gasoline canisters into the water to escape. A total of 109 gas cylinders were seized.

The latest operation took place at the mouth of the Guadalete River, where two petaqueras boats loaded with fuel canisters were detected supplying a semi-rigid boat. Upon being caught by the agents, the crew fled on the semi-rigid boat, abandoning the two boats, which were seized along with their cargo, a total of 86 gas cylinders.

In total, the supply of gasoline was thwarted and 446 canisters containing more than 11,000 liters of gasoline seized from the boats used for drug trafficking. Investigations are ongoing, and arrests are not ruled out.

The operations were the result of intelligence work and close collaboration between the two specialties within the force. On the one hand, the Cádiz Customs Surveillance Investigation Unit and, on the other, the Maritime Customs Surveillance Service, equipped with patrol boats and advanced technology that has facilitated support in locating and monitoring, have been working together to dismantle the smuggling networks operating in the region.

Risks associated with petaqueo

The handling, transportation, possession or sale of flammable substances in violation of established safety regulations and endangering the life, physical integrity or health of people, or the environment, constitutes possible commission of crimes defined in the Penal Code in its articles 348 and 568; with prison sentences of up to eight years.

Gross negligence is punishable. Therefore, we urge gas stations, and any hydrocarbon marketing company, to exercise extreme diligence in the supply of these flammable substances and to file complaints, due to the administrative and even criminal consequences that these incidents may entail for all those involved.