Joint operation of the Tax Agency and the National Police

• Almost 9.5 tons of narcotic substance, hidden in boxes of bananas, seized in a maritime container from Ecuador

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

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

August 25, 2023.- Officials of 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 (Cádiz) the largest stash of cocaine in Spain to date.

Specifically, in Operation NANO, almost 9.5 tons of narcotic substances have been seized in a refrigerated maritime container that, coming from Ecuador, was traveling hidden inside boxes of bananas.

More than 30 different logos were detected in the illicit shipment, which correspond to the different European criminal organizations receiving the cache. The criminal organization responsible for supplying cocaine to the most powerful networks in Europe had an extensive business network for the shipment of 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 the Campo de Gibraltar - began in July when the agents learned of the existence of a criminal organization responsible for supplying cocaine from South America to Europe. The investigators detected that the network had an extensive 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

The investigators showed 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 accredited the great logistical capacity of the network, capable of sending 40 containers per month to Europe, discovering that some of them were contaminated with the narcotic substance.

It was from that moment on that Customs officials began to control the organization's shipments and a shipment of 15 containers was detected that, presumably, would enter Europe at the beginning of August. For this reason, the mandatory 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 represents the largest cache seized in Spain to date. The drugs were hidden inside boxes of bananas and had more than 30 different logos, which correspond to the different European criminal organizations receiving said stash.

This operation has been an unprecedented blow to one of the most important criminal organizations, worldwide, in the distribution of cocaine whose recipients were the main criminal networks in Europe.

The corresponding proceedings have been carried out regarding the facts and, together with the seized effects, have been placed at the disposal of the Judicial Authority.