• The vessel, ten meters long, was being transported in an articulated truck without documentation, destined for Ceuta.

April 1, 2026. A road checkpoint has led to the intervention in Salvaterra de Miño (Pontevedra) of a possible 'narco-boat' of ten meters in length that was being transported in a truck bound for Ceuta. The joint action of Customs Surveillance officials from the Tax Agency and Civil Guard agents has allowed the identification of those responsible, transporters and manufacturers of the high-speed vessel for the preparation of the corresponding administrative file for smuggling.

The operation took place on February 20th, when agents of the Civil Guard from the A Caniza Post (Pontevedra), proceeded to identify and check the documentation and cargo being transported in a truck, finding in the semi-trailer a high-speed boat of about 10.20 meters in length without legal documentation.

At that time, the Central Operations Unit of the Civil Guard was informed, as it was a possible vessel that could be carrying prohibited goods according to current legislation.

The Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency in Pontevedra and the Organized Crime and Anti-Drug Team of the Pontevedra Command (EDOA) took charge of the necessary investigations to find those responsible for the act, as it was a vessel of the type usually used for trafficking narcotic substances and was the object of a prohibited item.

Through documentation and operational procedures, the investigators were able to identify the consignee of the vessel and the person listed on the invoice and bill of lading. He was a citizen residing in Ceuta with no criminal record. Furthermore, they were able to identify the other participants in the transport and the manufacturing company.

Regarding the vessel, it was found that it lacked all legal documentation, failing to comply with the obligation of registration and registration in Spain. There was also no record of the certificate of authorization to use the vessel, nor the data of the operator registered in the register of high-speed vessels associated with the vessel, established in Royal Decree-Law 16/2018 which regulates the use of high-speed vessels.

The estimated value of the vessel could reach 30,000 euros. Following the investigation, an administrative file will be opened for an offense related to smuggling in the Customs and Special Taxes Department of the Tax Agency.