On May 1, 2026, the Spanish Guardia Civil intercepted the Arconian in the Atlantic near the Canary Islands / Western Sahara region after intelligence from U.S. DEA and Dutch police. Authorities found roughly 30 metric tons of cocaine hidden aboard the vessel.
Reports say the ship was:
- sailing under a Comoros flag
- officially headed toward Libya
- believed to have departed from or passed through West Africa
- allegedly intended to act as a “mother ship” supplying smaller speedboats for smuggling into mainland Spain
The scale of the seizure
Spanish courts and media reported:
- about 30,215 kg of cocaine
- packed in over 1,200 bales
- estimated street value above €800 million
Crew and arrests
Authorities detained all 23 people onboard. Reports indicate:
- 17 Filipino crew members
- 6 Dutch and Surinamese nationals allegedly acting as armed guards/security for the shipment
Spanish investigators also said:
- firearms and ammunition were recovered
- some suspects were allegedly hiding during the boarding
- large quantities of fuel were onboard, believed intended for narcotics speedboats
Organized crime links
Spanish and Dutch investigators reportedly suspect links to major European trafficking organizations, including networks associated with the Dutch-Moroccan underworld sometimes referred to in media as the “Mocro Maffia.”
About the vessel itself
The ship is described as:
- a relatively small general cargo vessel (~91 meters long)
- reportedly owned through companies connected to Sierra Leone
- sailing under a flag of convenience (Comoros)
Investigators believe the declared voyage information may have been misleading.
