Spanish and Ecuadorian authorities have arrested 44 individuals and seized 21 tons of cocaine as part of a multiyear investigation targeting a sophisticated drug smuggling ring. The operation, overseen by Europol, focused on a network that allegedly smuggled drugs from South America into Spain concealed within shipping containers.
According to the Spanish Civil Guard, the ring was financed by investors based in Dubai. The initial phase of the crackdown occurred in March 2025, when Ecuadorian police apprehended 36 suspects and conducted searches at approximately 50 properties in Ecuador. Subsequently, Spanish police arrested eight additional suspects and confiscated 1 million euros (approximately $1.15 million) during raids on properties in Spain.
The smugglers reportedly utilized commercial shipments, primarily from the port of Guayaquil, to transport the illicit substances. The cocaine was frequently hidden among legitimate cargo, such as bananas, destined for European markets.