Europol operation seizes drugs and arrests suspects on Atlantic trafficking route
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · May 10
Europol operation seizes drugs and arrests suspects on Atlantic trafficking route
7 articles · Updated · CBS New York · May 10
From 13 to 26 April, authorities seized more than 12 tonnes of cocaine and 9.5 tonnes of hashish, intercepted eight vessels and arrested 54 people between the Canary Islands and Azores.
Europol said the mission targeted Latin America-Europe smuggling networks using covert offshore transfers and avoiding major ports, with international officers deployed across the Atlantic to detect, track and stop suspect boats.
The agency said the results confirmed a shift toward fragmented maritime routes that spread risk across multiple stages, and the intelligence gathered will support efforts to identify and dismantle the wider criminal networks.
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11 Tonnes Seized: Inside the 2026 International Crackdown on the Atlantic "Cocaine Highway"
Overview
Between April 13 and 26, 2026, international law enforcement agencies launched a coordinated operation targeting the 'cocaine highway,' a major maritime drug trafficking route across the Atlantic. By actively monitoring and intercepting vessels, and deploying a Europol expert to Spain for real-time intelligence sharing, authorities delivered a significant blow to criminal networks. This focused two-week strike strategically disrupted established trafficking infrastructure, demonstrating the power of international cooperation and advanced intelligence in combating large-scale drug smuggling and safeguarding maritime security.