Smuggling tunnel uncovered between Morocco and Spain's Ceuta enclave

Tuesday 25 February 2025 - 09:50

Spanish authorities have discovered a 50-meter underground tunnel connecting Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, believed to have been constructed for drug smuggling. The tunnel, located in an abandoned warehouse near the border, was sealed by Spain’s Civil Guard pending further investigation.

The discovery, made on February 19 by the Civil Guard’s Underground Unit, revealed the tunnel beneath a former marble factory in the Tarajal Industrial Park, a key area near the Moroccan border. The facility, abandoned for over two years, has since been secured to prevent unauthorized access.

Details of the tunnel

The passage descends 12 meters underground and extends at least 50 meters, with several branches on the Spanish side. Measuring roughly 40 centimeters wide and 60 centimeters high, the tunnel is narrow and reinforced with wooden supports. Basic lighting was installed, and access was hidden beneath a trapdoor leading to a stairway.

No drugs were found on-site, and no arrests directly related to the tunnel's discovery have been made so far. However, the Civil Guard suspects it was used to transport drugs from Morocco into Spain. Initial investigations indicate that smuggled drugs were likely transferred through the tunnel, loaded onto trucks, and shipped to the port of Algeciras in Cádiz for further distribution across Spain or abroad.

Ongoing investigation

The discovery forms part of "Operation Hades," an anti-trafficking initiative led by Spain’s Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office and overseen by National Court Judge María Tardón. The operation has already resulted in 14 arrests over the past three weeks, including two Civil Guard officers and a Ceuta Assembly deputy linked to drug trafficking. Additionally, three trucks carrying over 6,000 kilograms of hashish were seized during the crackdown.

The Spanish Civil Guard is collaborating with Moroccan authorities to determine the tunnel’s exact starting point on the Moroccan side of the border. Legal experts involved in the case suggest that further arrests may follow as the investigation progresses.

Strategic location and complex network

The Tarajal Industrial Park, home to over 100 warehouses, has been identified as a strategic hub for smuggling operations due to its proximity to the Moroccan border. The complex logistics and resources required to construct the tunnel point to a well-organized criminal network.

The discovery highlights the broader challenges of combating drug trafficking in the region. Ceuta and its neighboring enclave, Melilla, form the European Union’s only land borders with Africa, making them key points for illicit cross-border activities. Earlier this year, Spain and Morocco opened customs posts in both enclaves to facilitate legal trade, an effort that has added pressure to combat illegal operations.

Authorities are continuing their investigations, with the tunnel’s discovery offering new leads in the fight against organized crime in the region.