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[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [CRIME]

2 clusters · 26 sources · 24 days · First seen about 2 months ago · Last updated 24 days ago

Cocaine trafficking route shifts to Europe

Overview

A DEA report indicates that United States military raids against suspected drug trafficking vessels, known as Southern Spear, have failed to reduce cocaine supply or impact market prices. Instead, traffickers are diversifying routes by using larger ships in coastal waters and increasing air transport from the Colombia-Venezuela border toward Guyana and Suriname.

This shift has resulted in a surge of shipments toward Europe. Irish officials noted that Ireland has become a principal entry point, though naval monitoring capabilities remain limited. Traffickers are increasingly employing high-tech methods, including cryptocurrencies, the dark web, GPS spoofing, and unmanned vessels.

In response to these shifting routes, law enforcement has conducted major interventions. A joint operation by Portuguese and Spanish authorities, titled Operation Eclipse/Hawara, successfully dismantled an international network importing cocaine from Latin America. This operation resulted in the seizure of approximately 3,350 kilograms of cocaine and the arrest of suspects involved in transferring drugs from mother ships in the Atlantic to the coasts of Portugal and Spain.

During this operation, the Portuguese Polícia Judiciária and the Spanish Policía Nacional seized cocaine valued at over 70 million euros. Specific seizures included 1,530 kilograms found in a vehicle near Estremoz, Portugal, and approximately 1,700 kilograms at a storage facility, or ‘guardería’, in Torremolinos, Spain. An additional 200 kilograms were intercepted in Marbella. Three men have been placed in preventive detention as investigations continue.

Entities

Receita Federal · Drug Enforcement Administration · Polícia Judiciária · Ireland · Spain

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 7 SOURCES] Authorities dismantled an international drug trafficking network moving cocaine from Latin America to Europe.
[● 7 SOURCES] A total of 3,350 kilograms of cocaine were seized during the operation.
[● 7 SOURCES] Three men were arrested in Portugal and Spain as part of the investigation.
[● 6 SOURCES] One suspect in Portugal was caught driving a vehicle containing 1,530 kg of cocaine.
[● 5 SOURCES] Police seized three firearms and two vehicles.
[● 4 SOURCES] The group used high-speed boats to transfer drugs from mother ships in the Atlantic to the coast.
[● 4 SOURCES] The final destination for the cocaine was the Costa del Sol region in Spain.
[● 3 SOURCES] Approximately 1,700 kg of cocaine were found at a storage facility in Torremolinos, Spain.
[● 3 SOURCES] The suspects have been placed in preventive detention pending further investigation.

Timeline

24 days ago

[CRIME] 26 sources
Portugal and Spain dismantle international cocaine trafficking network
Portuguese and Spanish authorities dismantled an international cocaine trafficking network, seizing 3,350 kg of drugs valued at over €70 million and arresting three suspects.
about 2 months ago

[CRIME] 2 sources
DEA Report: US Cocaine Raids Fail, Traffickers Pivot to Europe
DEA findings show US cocaine raids haven’t cut supply, prompting traffickers to use new maritime and air routes that now funnel more cocaine into Europe, with Ireland emerging as a key entry point.

Sources

brasilemfolhas.com.br · cardinot.com.br · correiomanha.pt · crimesite.nl · diariodelcauca.com.co · diariodelsur.com.co · diariodesevilla.es · diariodistrito.sapo.pt · digitalsevilla.com · dn.pt · em.com.br · fmalba.com.ar · gazetaweb.com · hsbnoticias.com · jardimdoagreste.com.br · jornalamericanense.com.br · mehlmeisel.de · moncloa.com · noticiasdemalaga.es · radiocampanario.com · reporterbetoribeiro.com.br · santaportal.com.br · serranewsrj.com.br · tabonito.pt · unitednews.sr · viagemegastronomia.com.br

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history