Cádiz sees surge in narco-boat sightings in Andalusia

The province of Cádiz has become the primary detection point for narco-boats in Spain, accounting for 817 sightings between January and June 2026. This figure represents more than half of all detections made along the Andalusian coast during the first semester of the year, with the remaining provinces totaling 448 sightings.

Data provided by the Spanish government in response to a Senate inquiry reveals a significant upward trend in maritime drug trafficking. In 2025, Cádiz recorded 1,593 sightings, a sharp increase compared to Huelva, which had 451, and Almería, which had 282. The surge in Cádiz is particularly notable when compared to 2023, when the province recorded only 79 detections.

While Almería briefly led the region in 2023 with over 300 sightings, the focus of activity has shifted toward the Cádiz coastline and the Algeciras area. This trend follows a massive regional increase in 2024, when the Guardia Civil recorded 1,556 sightings across Andalusia, tripling the previous year's figures.