Spanish authorities have intercepted the general cargo vessel MV Arconian in what is expected to become the largest cocaine seizure in Spain’s history and one of the largest ever recorded globally, with an estimated 30 to 45 tonnes of narcotics found on board.
The operation was carried out by Spain’s Guardia Civil, which tracked and intercepted the 4,347 DWT vessel on May 1 off the coast of Western Sahara. The ship was subsequently escorted to the naval base at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where it arrived under custody for a full inspection.
According to officials, the Comoros-flagged MV Arconian had departed Freetown, Sierra Leone, on April 22 and was reporting Benghazi, Libya, as its destination. Investigators, however, suspect the declared voyage plan may have been a cover for a large-scale transshipment operation targeting European markets.
Authorities cited by AFP indicated that the vessel was likely intended to rendezvous with multiple small craft at sea to offload portions of the cargo. Given the scale of the shipment, analysts believe distribution would have required several transfer points to avoid detection at any single port.
Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska described the seizure as potentially “one of the largest not only nationally but internationally,” significantly exceeding previous records. Spain’s largest prior port seizure was 13 tonnes at Algeciras in 2024, while a 10-tonne interdiction at sea earlier this year had been considered a record.
Initial inspection reports indicate the vessel was “completely stuffed” with cocaine bales, suggesting a highly organized trafficking operation. Authorities also reported the discovery of weapons on board, adding a further layer of concern regarding the nature of the network involved.
All 23 crew members have been detained. According to early reports, the multinational crew includes seafarers from the Philippines, the Netherlands, and Angola.
The investigation is being conducted withholding further operational details as forensic examination and cargo offloading continue.
