# Operation Cantabria dismantles global cocaine network > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cocaine-seizure-in-extremadura-spain > Updated: 2026-10-09T11:01:59.000Z. Sources: 40. Developments: 2. The multi-year international investigation known as ‘Operation Cantabria’ has culminated in the dismantling of a massive cocaine smuggling network. Following the October 5 seizure of 827.5 kilograms of cocaine in Solana de los Barros, Spain, authorities expanded their crackdown. On October 8, 2026, law enforcement agencies—including Europol, Spanish, and Ecuadorian authorities—arrested 20 suspects and conducted searches at 23 locations in Ecuador. The criminal organization utilized sophisticated commercial engineering, operating at least 15 legal import and export companies specializing in tropical fruits, seafood, cocoa, and wood to conceal cocaine within maritime containers destined for European ports. The network maintained strategic operational bases in Peru and established logistics centers in Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands, with additional operational and financial links in the United Arab Emirates. Between 2022 and 2026, 13 major operations linked to this network resulted in the seizure of over 43 tons of cocaine. Investigators successfully gathered critical evidence by decrypting communications from the Sky ECC platform. Other significant milestones in the broader investigation include a historic 13-ton seizure in Spain and the interception of nearly four tons of cocaine in the Netherlands in late 2020. ## Claims - Europol, Spanish, and Ecuadorian authorities conducted ‘Operation Cantabria’ to target a major cocaine smuggling network. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The criminal network used legal tropical fruit import and export companies to hide cocaine in banana shipments. (corroborated by 4 sources) - A multi-year investigation involving 13 major operations between 2022 and 2026 resulted in the seizure of over 43 tons of cocaine. (corroborated by 4 sources) - On October 8, 2026, police arrested 20 suspects and searched 23 locations in Ecuador. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The network maintained operational bases in Peru and logistics centers in Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Investigators used decrypted communications from the Sky ECC platform to gather evidence. (corroborated by 4 sources) - One of the largest seizures linked to the investigation was 13 tons of cocaine in Spain. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The criminal organization established operational and financial links in the United Arab Emirates. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The Tax Agency intercepted 827.5 kilograms of cocaine in Solana de los Barros. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The seized cocaine has an estimated illicit market value exceeding 50 million euros. (corroborated by 2 sources) - This is the largest cocaine seizure recorded in Extremadura to date. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The drugs were hidden in a false bottom of a van. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-09: Operation Cantabria dismantles transnational cocaine trafficking network Europol and authorities in Ecuador and Spain dismantled a major cocaine network through ‘Operation Cantabria,’ seizing over 43 tons of drugs via fruit shipments since 2022. 38 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/extremadura-authorities-seize-827-kg-of-cocaine-in-badajoz ### 2026-10-04: Alhambra police seize 200 kilos of cocaine during traffic stop Alhambra police seized approximately 200 kilograms of cocaine from an SUV after a K9 unit detected the drugs during a traffic stop involving driver Julio Rangel. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/alhambra-police-seize-200-kilos-of-cocaine-during-traffic-stop --- Cite as: Operation Cantabria dismantles global cocaine network. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cocaine-seizure-in-extremadura-spain