International Crackdown on Cocaine Smuggling Leads to 44 Arrests

WHO:

ABC News - Spanish police and Ecuadorian authorities were involved in the investigation.

ABC News - The operation was overseen by Europol.

ABC News - The Civil Guard of Spain participated in the operation.

WHAT:

ABC News - The investigation led to 44 arrests.

ABC News - A total of 21 tons of cocaine were confiscated.

NY Post - The operation targeted a drug smuggling ring financed by investors in Dubai.

WHERE:

ABC News - The drug smuggling ring was operating between South America and Spain.

ABC News - The drugs were primarily shipped from the port of Guayaquil, Ecuador.

ABC News - Raids were conducted in about 50 properties in Ecuador and in various locations in Spain.

WHEN:

ABC News - The first arrests occurred in March 2025.

ABC News - Spanish police arrested eight suspects during the operation.

WHY:

ABC News - The operation aimed to dismantle a drug smuggling ring that was using commercial shipments to hide drugs.

HOW:

ABC News - Smugglers hid the drugs among commercial goods, often among bananas, in shipping containers.

(UPDATED August 5, 2026 18:30 UTC)

A major drug smuggling operation has resulted in 44 arrests and the confiscation of 21 tons of cocaine, with the investigation led by Spanish police and Ecuadorian authorities under the oversight of Europol. The smuggling ring, which was financed by investors in Dubai, operated primarily between South America and Spain, with drugs shipped from the port of Guayaquil, Ecuador, and raids conducted at around 50 properties in both countries. Smugglers cleverly concealed the drugs among commercial goods, often hiding them among bananas in shipping containers.