Spanish authorities seize 35 tonnes of cannabis with a street value of millions in country’s biggest ever drugs busts

The Spanish authorities have seized over 35 tonnes of hashish worth an estimated $5 million on luxury yachts in the Atlantic Ocean. 

The operation, part of joint efforts involving five countries, is Spain’s biggest drug seizure to date.

The hashish was found when agents boarded four sailboats belonging to an alleged smuggling ring.

Police said they arrested nine Bulgarians and one Russian and confiscated six yachts worth an estimated 5 million euros in the raid. 

The ministry said the operation is a “huge blow to what investigators consider the largest criminal organization dedicated to smuggling hashish via sea in Spain”. 

Spain said it received assistance during the investigation from Europol, the international Maritime Analysis and Operation Centre, and from authorities in the UK, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Greece and Italy.