Spanish police have seized more than three tonnes of cocaine from a high-powered drug-running boat intercepted off the coast of Gran Canaria, arresting five men who were allegedly carrying an assault rifle and light machine gun for protection.
The Guardia Civil said officers recovered 139 bales containing a total of 3,360 kilos of cocaine from the semi-rigid vessel, which was intercepted around 70 nautical miles south of the Canary Islands.
The five crew members, aged between 21 and 41, were arrested following a pursuit at sea after the boat allegedly attempted to flee from the police officers.
The vessel, equipped with several high-powered engines, was spotted by officers from the Guardia Civil’s Maritime Service while sailing south of Gran Canaria.
After identifying it as a boat suspected of being involved in drug trafficking, officers ordered its crew to stop.
Instead, the vessel accelerated away, prompting a pursuit.
According to the Guardia Civil, the crew carried out a series of evasive manoeuvres in an attempt to escape, but officers were able to keep up with the boat and eventually intercept it.
A subsequent search uncovered the 139 packages of cocaine, weighing a combined 3.36 tonnes.
Officers also discovered two military-style weapons on the vessel – an assault rifle and a light machine gun.
Investigators believe the weapons were being carried to protect the cocaine shipment against attempts by rival organised crime groups to steal it.
Spanish authorities said private possession of weapons of this type is strictly prohibited.
The discovery highlights the level of violence surrounding major maritime cocaine shipments, where criminal organisations can face the threat not only of interception by law enforcement but also of attacks by rival groups seeking to seize valuable consignments.
All five people travelling aboard the vessel were detained. They are suspected of offences including drug trafficking, serious disobedience, illegal possession of weapons and membership of a criminal organisation.
The Guardia Civil said the five suspects were due to be brought before a court following their arrests.
The operation represents another major cocaine interception in waters surrounding the Canary Islands, along maritime routes used by international drug-trafficking organisations moving narcotics towards Europe.
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#OperacionesGC | Incautadas más de tres toneladas de cocaína en una narcolancha al sur de Gran Canaria y detenidos los cinco narcotraficantes implicados
— Guardia Civil (@guardiacivil) September 4, 2026
🚤Navegaban con dos armas largas de fuego a bordo para dar protección al alijo.
👇https://t.co/4UPgEbzUun pic.twitter.com/VsIzoVpCjy
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