A forceful police operation has successfully dismantled a complex international criminal network firmly established in the Canary archipelago, dedicated to the large-scale reception and introduction of narcotic substances. This blow against drug trafficking highlights the importance of the islands' coasts as an entry route into Europe.
The joint investigation, initiated in late 2025, unified the efforts of the Civil Guard and the National Police after identifying that both institutions were pursuing the same drug lord in the region. Over eight months of intense investigation, a network with transcontinental ramifications in South America, North Africa, and the Iberian Peninsula was tracked, employing strict militarized counter-surveillance measures.
Five strategic interventions were carried out in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote, resulting in the removal of over 7,500 kilograms of hashish from the black market. The operation's peak occurred in the early morning of May 11th, when a high-powered rigid inflatable boat was intercepted off the coast of Sardina del Norte (Gáldar, Gran Canaria), carrying more than 3,000 kilograms of hashish. Nine individuals were arrested on the spot.
The final phase of the operation included simultaneous raids on six properties and warehouses in Gran Canaria and Málaga, bringing the total number of arrests to 25. Over 250,000 euros in cash, firearms, machetes, and relevant documentation were seized. The investigation remains open, with international arrest warrants issued for several key members who managed to escape.
