Story perspectives

Spanish Police Seize 10 Tons of Cocaine at Sea

1/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

On January 12, 2026, Spanish police seized 10 tons of cocaine from a merchant ship off the Canary Islands in 'White Tide'.
Spanish police arrested 13 crew members and recovered a firearm.
Cocaine was concealed in 294 packages inside salt shipment.
It is the largest at-sea cocaine haul for Spanish authorities, surpassing the 7.5-ton 1999 record.
The operation involved collaboration with United States, Brazilian, United Kingdom, French, and Portuguese authorities.

History

Historical Context

In 1999, Spanish authorities seized 7.5 tons of cocaine, a significant achievement in international drug enforcement involving collaboration with the United States and Brazil. By 2026, law enforcement faced escalating challenges as they seized 10 tons, highlighting the persistent threat of organized crime and the need for ongoing international cooperation to combat drug trafficking effectively.

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Story summary

On January 12, 2026, Spanish police seized 10 tons of cocaine from a merchant ship off the Canary Islands in 'White Tide'.
Spanish police arrested 13 crew members and recovered a firearm.
Cocaine was concealed in 294 packages inside salt shipment.
It is the largest at-sea cocaine haul for Spanish authorities, surpassing the 7.5-ton 1999 record.
The operation involved collaboration with United States, Brazilian, United Kingdom, French, and Portuguese authorities.

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