The Civil Guard seizes over a thousand kilos of cocaine in Santa Pola

On November 3, 2026, the Civil Guard reported the seizure of 1,184 kilograms of cocaine that were hidden on a fishing boat in the port of Santa Pola, Alicante. This operation resulted in the arrest of ten individuals and one more person who is being investigated for their alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

The seized drugs were distributed in 40 burlap bales, which were concealed in ten containers camouflaged with fishing nets, making them difficult to detect. The investigation identified a criminal organization with shared roles between those who were removing and transporting the drugs by sea and those providing support on land.

Start of the investigation

The monitoring of this case began at the start of the year when the use of fishing vessels for drug trafficking along the Alicante coast was reported. Investigators began to observe movements indicating the collection of shipments at sea, heading for their subsequent transfer to port.

On September 18, suspicious movements of a fishing boat were detected, and a surveillance operation was established. After the vessel arrived in Santa Pola, agents accessed the interior and located the containers that contained the cocaine.

Outcome of the operation

In the first phase of the operation, three individuals were arrested, and searches were also conducted in Elche and Santa Pola where a boat, a vehicle, and a motorcycle were seized. Subsequently, evidence of a criminal organization operating in a coordinated manner between the waters and the coast was found.

The investigation led to a second phase, where seven more individuals were arrested and another was investigated for their possible involvement in drug trafficking. The Judicial Authority has decided to remand four of the detainees in custody.