International Operation Leads to Arrest of Three Brits in Drug Trafficking Case
In a significant blow to drug trafficking across the Atlantic, three British nationals have been apprehended. The arrests were part of an international operation that resulted in the seizure of approximately 1.2 tonnes of cocaine from a boat. The National Crime Agency (NCA) of the UK collaborated with French and Spanish authorities to target a criminal group suspected of transporting cocaine to Europe.
Interception of Spanish-Registered Yacht Yields Massive Cocaine Haul
The operation culminated in the interception of a Spanish-registered yacht approximately 1,200 miles east of Martinique by a French navy frigate on December 18. The officers on board discovered around 40 bales of cocaine weighing about 1.2 tonnes. The estimated street value of the seized cocaine in the UK, once adulterated, would be around £96 million.
Arrest of Crew Members and Further Suspects in Spain
The three crew members, including a 29-year-old from Stornoway in Scotland who was captaining the vessel, were arrested and transported to Martinique to face criminal charges. Following the interception, Spanish authorities in Marbella and Valencia arrested five more individuals suspected of involvement in the shipment.
British National and Son Among Those Detained
Among those arrested were a 62-year-old British national, originally from Lincolnshire but now residing in Spain, and his 24-year-old son. The Policia Nacional detained them as they were dining at a restaurant in Marbella on December 19. All five suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.
International Collaboration Key to Operation’s Success
The operation involved officers from the NCA’s international network, the Spanish Policia Nacional, French customs (DNRED), the French Navy, and the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre Narcotics (MAOC-N) in Lisbon. Paul Owen, the NCA’s International Liaison Officer in Madrid, emphasized the importance of international law enforcement cooperation in tackling global networks. He expressed gratitude to their partners in France, Spain, the Caribbean, and MAOC-N for their assistance. He also reiterated their commitment to target, disrupt, and dismantle drug trafficking groups to prevent them from fuelling violence and decay in UK communities.
