Spain dismantles Balkan cartel network, seizes 2.5 tons Of cocaine

Thursday 15 January 2026 - 13:30

By: Sahili Aya

Spain dismantles Balkan cartel network, seizes 2.5 tons Of cocaine

Spanish police have dismantled a major cocaine trafficking network linked to the so-called Balkan cartel, resulting in the arrest of 30 suspects and the seizure of nearly 2.5 tons of cocaine, authorities announced on Thursday.

Law enforcement officials said the operation targeted three interconnected criminal organizations involved in large-scale cocaine importation. The investigation began in late 2024 following the discovery of cocaine hidden in a vehicle in southern Spain, which led police to uncover a broader international smuggling structure.

According to investigators, the groups relied on sophisticated maritime techniques, including offshore drop-offs in which drug shipments are released at sea and later retrieved by smaller boats closer to shore. This method has been increasingly used to avoid detection by coastal surveillance systems.

Criminal networks originating from the Balkans have, for several years, played a central role in the transport and distribution of cocaine across Europe. Spain, due to its geographic position, remains one of the main entry points for cocaine arriving from South America.

The latest operation follows another major seizure earlier this week, when Spanish authorities intercepted a record shipment of cocaine at sea, underlining the scale of trafficking operations targeting the country.