Joint operation of the Tax Agency and the National Police

• Nearly 9.5 tons of narcotics, hidden in boxes of bananas, were seized in a shipping container from Ecuador.

• More than 30 different logos were detected in the illicit shipment, which correspond to the different European criminal organizations that received the stash.

• The criminal organization responsible for supplying cocaine to the most powerful networks in Europe had an extensive business network for shipping maritime containers from Ecuador to Spain.

August 25, 2023. Officials from the Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency, in a joint operation with agents of the National Police, have seized in the Port of Algeciras (Cadiz) the largest cocaine haul in Spain to date.

Specifically, in Operation NANO, almost 9.5 tons of narcotic substance were seized in a refrigerated maritime container that, coming from Ecuador, traveled hidden inside boxes of bananas.

More than 30 different logos were detected in the illicit shipment, which correspond to the different European criminal organizations that received the stash. The criminal organization responsible for supplying cocaine to the most powerful networks in Europe had a wide business network for shipping maritime containers from Ecuador to Spain.

The first investigations of the operation - which is part of the Southern Plan aimed at combating drug trafficking in Campo de Gibraltar - began in July when agents learned of the existence of a criminal organization responsible for supplying cocaine from South America to Europe. Investigators found that the network had a wide business network for shipping drugs from Ecuador to our country through different Spanish ports, mainly Algeciras and Vigo.

Extensive business network with great logistics capacity

Investigators found that the organization operated through a company dedicated to the international trade of bananas located in Machala (Ecuador). From there they sent the merchandise in maritime containers to different Spanish companies controlled by members of the criminal network.

After several efforts, investigators from the Customs Surveillance Service and the National Police confirmed the network's great logistical capacity, capable of sending 40 containers a month to Europe, discovering that some of them were contaminated with the narcotic substance.

It was from that moment that customs officials began to monitor the organisation's shipments and detected a shipment of 15 containers that were supposedly due to enter Europe at the beginning of August. For this reason, the required device was established in the Port of Algeciras, to proceed with its inspection.

9,436 kilos of cocaine seized with more than 30 different logos

Finally, on August 23, investigators located a refrigerated container with 9,436 kilos of cocaine, which is the largest shipment seized in Spain to date. The drugs were hidden inside boxes of bananas and had more than 30 different logos, corresponding to the different European criminal organisations that received the shipment.

This operation has dealt an unprecedented blow to one of the most important criminal organisations worldwide in the distribution of cocaine to the main criminal networks in Europe.

The corresponding proceedings have been initiated regarding the facts, which, together with the seized effects, have been made available to the Judicial Authority.