Atlantic drug trafficking network hit by Morocco-Spain operation
Joint security efforts between Morocco and Spain have disrupted a major Atlantic drug trafficking network responsible for moving tonnes of cocaine into Europe, according to Atalayar on January 27th.
Operation “Black Shadow” marked a major success for joint intelligence and police coordination between Morocco’s Directorate-General for National Security (DGSN) and Spanish authorities, with direct support from Spain’s National Intelligence Centre (CNI). The operation targeted a transnational criminal organisation that used Atlantic maritime routes to smuggle large quantities of cocaine into Europe.
After more than a year of investigation led by Spain’s Special Anti-Drug Prosecutor and the National Court, authorities carried out 49 coordinated raids across the country, resulting in more than 105 arrests. Security forces seized over 10.4 tonnes of cocaine, 30 boats, 70 vehicles, six properties, weapons and nearly one million euros in cash. Hundreds of bank accounts linked to money laundering activities were also uncovered, alongside encrypted communication systems used for offshore financial operations.
Moroccan intelligence played a central role in identifying maritime routes, coordination points and offshore transfer zones between cargo vessels and smaller boats. These routes mainly connected southern Spain, northern Morocco and the Canary Islands. Real-time intelligence sharing between the Moroccan DGSN and the Spanish CNI allowed authorities to track movements and disrupt logistics networks operating at sea.
Investigators revealed the group’s sophisticated infrastructure, including floating platforms capable of storing drugs for weeks, fuel depots exceeding 100,000 litres and advanced communication systems designed to evade detection. According to estimates, the organisation may have smuggled up to 57 tonnes of cocaine into Europe in a single year, making “Black Shadow” one of the largest anti-drug operations on record.
The operation also involved international partners, including Europol, the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the UK’s National Crime Agency and authorities from Portugal, France, Colombia and Cape Verde. Portuguese forces separately intercepted 6.6 tonnes of cocaine aboard a semi-submersible vessel linked to the same criminal network.
One of the most significant breakthroughs was the dismantling of a major operational hub in the Campo de Gibraltar, which served as a centre for distribution, logistics and money laundering. The investigation also exposed the group’s use of intimidation and violence, including multimillion-euro payments made to silence families of deceased crew members.
Beyond the seizures and arrests, “Black Shadow” underscores Morocco’s growing role as a strategic security partner for Spain and Europe. The operation highlights how intelligence sharing and cross-border cooperation remain key tools in confronting increasingly complex transnational criminal networks.
Atalayar, Maghrebi.org
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Subscribe to receive our FREE weekly PDF magazine
