Spanish police seized almost 10 metric tonnes of cocaine in their largest-ever haul of the drug on the high seas. Authorities intercepted a vessel carrying the drug concealed in a shipment of salt en route from Brazil to Europe, police said on Monday, 12 January. Footage shows officers using shovels and digging with their hands to remove the drug from beneath the salt. Thirteen people on board were arrested, and police recovered 294 bales of cocaine and a handgun. The international effort also involved the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Brazil's Federal Police, Britain's National Crime Agency and French and Portuguese authorities.
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Holly Patrick | Tuesday 13 January 2026 11:19 GMT
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Spanish police seized almost 10 metric tonnes of cocaine in their largest-ever haul of the drug on the high seas.
Authorities intercepted a vessel carrying the drug concealed in a shipment of salt en route from Brazil to Europe, police said on Monday, 12 January.
Spanish police seize 10 tonnes of cocaine hidden in ship off Canary Islands
Intervenidas 10 toneladas de cocaína en alta mar, el mayor alijo de la historia de la Policía
Spanish police break up gang that used swimmers to hide cocaine on ships
La policía interviene el mayor alijo de cocaína en alta mar justo antes del reparto de la droga
La Policía empleó seis horas para poder sacar todos los fardos de las 10 toneladas de cocaína de una montaña de sal
Spanien stellt Rekordmenge Kokain auf hoher See sicher
