Spanish police seize 5.5 tonnes of cocaine in ‘one of biggest busts’ ever

Spanish authorities said they had arrested 24 people and seized 5.5 tonnes of cocaine as it was trafficked from Ecuador to Spain in one of the biggest busts ever.

Published: 15 May 2017 11:21 CEST

Spanish police seize 5.5 tonnes of cocaine in ‘one of biggest busts’ ever

Photo: Interior Ministry

Spain’s interior minister Juan Ignacio Zoido announced the bust, which took place on a container ship in a joint-operation between Ecuadorian and Spanish police.

Una operación de la @policia junto a la de Ecuador ha permitido interceptar un buque con 5.529 kilos de cocaína y detener a 24 personas. pic.twitter.com/5W5UFrSX9K

— Juan Ignacio Zoido (@zoidoJI) May 15, 2017

This is one of the biggest hauls of cocaine in history and breaks up a big nacro-trafficking organization between South America and Spain,” he said on Twitter, alongside photos of the raid.

Es una de las mayores incautaciones de cocaína de la historia y desarticula una gran organización de narcotráfico entre Suramérica y España. pic.twitter.com/lbgzgBYcnS

— Juan Ignacio Zoido (@zoidoJI) May 15, 2017

In total, 5.529 kilos of cocaine were discovered on board, which would have a street value approaching €200 million.