On the morning of 14 February 2014, the Spanish Tax Agency’s Customs Surveillance intercepted the Turkish-flagged fishing vessel Berk Kaptan about 60 miles south of Almería, finding 480 bales of hashish resin, an estimated 12 tonnes, hidden in its hold.[1][2] All four crew members, Turkish nationals, were arrested and the vessel seized.[1][2]
The 24-metre vessel had been under aerial surveillance since 11 February, sitting stationary 25 to 30 nautical miles north of Melilla, and small boats laden with hashish-type bales were seen approaching it in the early hours of 14 February before the patrol vessel Fulmar boarded it.[1] Spain sought Turkey’s authorisation to board through the CICO centre, as required for a flag-state vessel, then towed the Berk Kaptan to Almería port the same afternoon and handed the crew, vessel and drugs to the duty investigating magistrate.[1] French customs assisted the operation, codenamed Bosphorus.[1]
The agency called it the fourth large hashish seizure on the new eastern Mediterranean route since the previous June, bringing that route’s total past 50 tonnes, with French, Italian and Spanish patrols intercepting seven large hashish consignments in six months.[1] The crew had used the eastern Mediterranean route to disguise the shipment, the agency said.[2]
