30 tonnes of hashish seized from four yachts in Atlantic operation
Spain's Tax Agency and National Police seized more than 30 tonnes of hashish from four sailing yachts of one organisation in the Atlantic between 24 and 28 September 2020 and arrested nine Bulgarian and Russian nationals. Authorities called it the largest anti-hashish operation at sea to date in Spain.
Spain’s Tax Agency and National Police seized more than 30 tonnes of hashish from four high-end sailing yachts of the same organisation in five days in the Atlantic and arrested nine Bulgarian and Russian nationals.[1][2]Authorities called Operation Goleta-Gratil the largest operation against hashish trafficking by sea carried out in Spain.[1]
The maritime sweep ran from 24 to 28 September with four patrol boats, a helicopter, a Customs Surveillance aircraft and the Navy vessel Meteoro, following months of investigation since October 2019.[1]The Sweet Breeze was boarded on 24 September south-east of Fuerteventura in international waters with 10,700 kilograms on board, and the Eagle Ray was boarded the same day near the Strait of Gibraltar with 9,300 kilograms.[1]The Amaalta was boarded on 26 September off Mauritania with an estimated 4,500 kilograms, and the Carla was boarded on 28 September south-east of Fuerteventura with an estimated 6,000 kilograms.[1]The vessels and the arrested men were handed to the competent courts in El Puerto de Santa María, Manacor, Inca and Telde.[1]Earlier in 2020 the same investigation had taken 4,244 kilograms from the Phase One south of Mallorca and 360 kilograms from the Hanna in the Gulf of Cádiz.[1][2]
Case data
Every number and detail the sources state, with the sources that state it.
Spanish Tax Agencysede.agenciatributaria.gob.esMajor blow to drug trafficking with the seizure of 35 tonnes of hashish following a simultaneous raid on four sailing boats belonging to the same organisation
The per-boat figures of 10,700, 9,300, about 4,500 and about 6,000 kilograms sum to 30,500 kilograms; both outlets round the September haul to about or more than 30 tonnes.
With March and July seizures from the same organisation the total exceeds 35 tonnes, a wider campaign total left out of this September operation's figures.
The Amaalta developed a leak off Mauritania and sank on the return voyage after its boarding on 26 September.
Guardia Civil officers in Segovia dismantled a clandestine marijuana plantation hidden in a greenhouse near El Espinar after neighbours reported a strong smell of cannabis. Two local residents were placed under investigation for alleged drug-trafficking cultivation, and officers seized 8.05 kg of plant material.
The Guardia Civil investigated a man in Aguilar de la Frontera, Córdoba, after a neighbour reported being threatened with a short firearm; he handed over an air pistol. Officers then found eight cannabis plants, about 1.60 metres tall, grown inside his home, with buds weighing 920 grams, and put the file before a court.
Guardia Civil officers intercepted a parcel holding 15.9 kilos of hashish resin at a transport company near Asturias airport, then arrested the 37-year-old Seville man who flew in to collect it in a simulated delivery. A judge sent him to prison on 6 November 2026.
Mossos d'Esquadra found a fully equipped forest camp in Figuerola del Camp holding more than 1,000 kilos of marijuana buds ready for sale. No arrests were reported and the investigation to identify those behind the site remains open.
