Spanish police seized 30 tons [1] of cocaine off the Canary Islands on May 7, 2026, and detained a 23-member crew [1].
The operation marks a significant blow to international drug-trafficking networks and represents the largest cocaine seizure ever recorded in Europe [1].
The seizure took place in the Atlantic Ocean near the Canary Islands. The Spanish Civil Guard and the High Court coordinated the operation to intercept the vessel. Following the discovery of the shipment, authorities detained all 23 crew members [1, 2]. These individuals are being held without bail as part of a larger investigation into the trafficking operation [5].
While official reports from Reuters state the haul was 30 tons [1], other reports indicate the volume may have been higher. Some sources suggest the shipment potentially reached 40 tons [7], while others report the seizure could have been as high as 45 tons [6]. These varying accounts place the total weight of the narcotics within a range of 30,000 to 45,000 kg [8].
The Spanish Civil Guard has not released further details regarding the origin of the vessel or the nationality of the crew. The High Court is currently overseeing the legal proceedings for the detained sailors. This operation follows a series of increased maritime patrols in the Atlantic to curb the flow of narcotics into the European Union.
“Europe's largest cocaine bust to date”
The scale of this seizure suggests a shift in trafficking volumes or a successful evolution in Spanish maritime intelligence. By intercepting a shipment of this magnitude, potentially up to 45 tons, authorities have prevented a massive influx of narcotics from entering the European market, which may temporarily disrupt the supply chains of the organized crime syndicates involved.
