The Spanish authorities seized four tons of cocaine from a cargo ship off the Canary Islands and arrested 10 of its crew, dariknews.bg reported.
The 70 meter long ship “Ras“ was flying a Tanzanian flag when it was seized 130 nautical miles from Lanzarote, the easternmost island of the Atlantic archipelago off northwest Africa, police and Spain's tax authorities said in a joint statement.
All crew members, including five Turks, two Azerbaijanis and one Dutch national, were detained. The Turkish captain is among those arrested.
The freighter has attracted attention as it has made a “unique journey” from Turkey to West Africa without loading or unloading goods, but after “chaotic maneuvers” has taken a course towards the Iberian Peninsula.
The ship was monitored by the Lisbon-based "Maritime Analysis and Operations Center - Narcotics" - an initiative involving six countries from the European Union and Great Britain, within the framework of an operation coordinated by the Spanish police.
The ship was intercepted by the customs services of Spain and France patrolling the area.
Spain is a major entry point for drugs in Europe due to its close ties to its former colonies in Latin America and its proximity to Morocco, which is the largest producer of cannabis.
The 70 meter long ship “Ras“ was flying a Tanzanian flag when it was seized 130 nautical miles from Lanzarote, the easternmost island of the Atlantic archipelago off northwest Africa, police and Spain's tax authorities said in a joint statement.
All crew members, including five Turks, two Azerbaijanis and one Dutch national, were detained. The Turkish captain is among those arrested.
The freighter has attracted attention as it has made a “unique journey” from Turkey to West Africa without loading or unloading goods, but after “chaotic maneuvers” has taken a course towards the Iberian Peninsula.
The ship was monitored by the Lisbon-based "Maritime Analysis and Operations Center - Narcotics" - an initiative involving six countries from the European Union and Great Britain, within the framework of an operation coordinated by the Spanish police.
The ship was intercepted by the customs services of Spain and France patrolling the area.
Spain is a major entry point for drugs in Europe due to its close ties to its former colonies in Latin America and its proximity to Morocco, which is the largest producer of cannabis.