Spanish police have uncovered a highly sophisticated underground tunnel network used to smuggle hashish from Morocco into Europe. The discovery, made in the North African exclave of Ceuta, revealed a multi-level structure with rail systems, cranes, and soundproofing designed to evade detection.
Core Facts and Immediate Action
Spanish authorities seized 17 metric tons of hashish and €1.4 million in cash, while arresting 27 people connected to the operation. The tunnel, hidden beneath an industrial warehouse, featured three levels, including a descent shaft, an intermediate storage chamber, and the main tunnel itself. Police described the network as a feat of engineering, with pumping systems and heavy-duty lifting equipment to transport large quantities of drugs.
Deeper Dive and Context
The tunnel extended directly into Morocco, resembling a mine with trolleys running along a complex rail system. Authorities identified two key figures in the operation: a Moroccan-based "narco-architect" and a Ceuta-based individual who owned the seized drugs. The bust was part of a broader investigation into what officials call the "hashish network of networks."
Spain serves as a major entry point for hashish into Europe, with 68% of all resin seizures in the EU occurring in Spain in 2023. Ceuta and Melilla, Spain's only land borders with Africa, are key transit zones for drug trafficking. While hashish is typically smuggled by sea, this tunnel represents an unprecedented level of sophistication in land-based smuggling.
The operation highlights Spain's role as a transit hub for illicit drugs, including cocaine transported via "narco subs" in the northwestern region of Galicia. Authorities continue to monitor and disrupt these networks to curb the flow of drugs into Europe.