Overview
- Spanish special forces boarded the vessel about 290 nautical miles west of the Canary Islands during Operation Marea Blanca.
- Nearly ten tonnes of cocaine were found hidden within a bulk cargo of salt in the ship’s holds.
- Thirteen crew members were arrested and a firearm was recovered during the search.
- The freighter, reported to have departed Brazil and sailing under Cameroon’s flag as United S, was towed to the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
- Authorities cite support from the DEA, MAOC, and French, UK, and Portuguese services, and police released video of the boarding while calling it the force’s largest seizure at sea.