In a significant operation to combat drug trafficking, Spanish and Portuguese authorities have intercepted a narcosubmarine loaded with 6.6 tons of cocaine approximately 500 nautical miles south of the Azores and 680 nautical miles southwest of the Canary Islands.

This operation, involving the Guardia Civil and the Polícia Judiciária of Portugal, marks the first instance in which a semisubmersible has been successfully boarded at such a distance from the coast, preventing the crew from sinking the vessel before apprehension.

Investigations reveal that the narcosubmarine departed from a location near the Amazon River's mouth in Brazil, heading towards the Iberian Peninsula, likely destined for Sines, located 58 nautical miles south of Lisbon.

The crew had planned to transfer the cocaine to high-speed narco boats closer to the coast for transport to land, eventually distributing the drugs throughout Europe, particularly via routes through Andalucía. Five individuals were arrested during the operation, including one Spaniard, one Colombian, and three Brazilians.

The operation, dubbed Operation Nautilus, emerged from intelligence work conducted by the newly established Central Anti-Drug Group of the Guardia Civil's Central Operative Unit (UCO) and the Regional Centre for Analysis and Intelligence against Drug Trafficking (CRAIN) based in Andalucía. The UCO gathers data on criminal organizations utilizing various maritime vehicles to introduce cocaine into Spain, while CRAIN focuses on analyzing information related to drug trafficking groups operating in southern Spain.

This intelligence was shared with the Portuguese authorities, leading to the preparation of a naval and aerial operation that successfully intercepted the narcosubmarine in the Atlantic Ocean.

Upon interception, both the narcosubmarine and the detainees were escorted to São Miguel Island in the Azores, Portugal.

The Guardia Civil noted that narcosubmarines have increasingly become a method for transporting large shipments of drugs from South America to Europe due to their significant cargo capacity, long-range navigational autonomy, and ability to conceal themselves at sea.

Since 1993, more than 300 such vessels have been seized across the Atlantic.

The increasing use of these submarines highlights an evolving challenge in the fight against drug trafficking.

Authorities emphasize the threat posed by the capability of crew members to sink these vessels to destroy evidence when approached by law enforcement, complicating subsequent efforts to recover drugs for prosecution purposes.

Recently, in June, a similar vessel was lost when its crew sank it before being apprehended, with agents able only to rescue the occupants.

A growing number of cases involving narcosubmarines has been reported, indicating a persistent trajectory in the transatlantic drug trade.

The operational framework of law enforcement agencies has adapted to this trend, with specialized units being established to counteract the complexities introduced by these advanced smuggling techniques.