Spain and Netherlands seize near‑ton of MDMA bound for South America

Police forces from Spain and the Netherlands intercepted 947 kg (2,088 lb) of MDMA in a coordinated operation, marking the largest seizure of the synthetic drug in European history. The bust involved 15 arrests, with 12 suspects placed in pre‑trial detention, and charges of public‑health offences, membership in a criminal organisation, electricity fraud and illegal weapons possession.

Investigators say the traffickers planned to ship the MDMA concealed inside a crane that would travel from the Belgian port of Antwerp to Ghana, where the drug would be exchanged for cocaine. The cocaine was slated to be moved to Europe via Spanish ports and then the remaining MDMA shipped onward to South America. The raids also recovered 644 cannabis plants, three firearms, €46,000 in cash and five luxury watches. The criminal network was identified as Dutch nationals based on the Costa del Sol, coordinating large‑scale shipments of synthetic drugs, cocaine and marijuana across Europe, Africa and Latin America.

The operation demonstrates extensive international police cooperation and is described by authorities as a major blow to organised drug trafficking in the region.