19 December, 2025, 2:17 pm Central - 24°C Rain

FJD$2 billion cocaine bust in Spain and most of the packs were labelled as Fiji

FJD$2 billion cocaine bust in Spain and most of the packs were labelled as Fiji

By Vijay Narayan
12/11/2024
Photo:SkyNews

Spain has seized 13 tonnes of cocaine worth almost FJD$2 billion in the biggest drug raid in its history, and most of the packs were labelled as Fiji.

Sky News reports that Spanish Police found 13 tonnes of the class A drug hidden behind bananas in a cargo container that sailed from Ecuador.

Spanish authorities have shared dramatic footage of a raid on a property linked to the seizing of the cocaine, in what they described as the biggest anti-narcotics operation in the country's history.

Officials found bricks of drugs hidden in a shipment of bananas in a container from Ecuador at the port of Algeciras in southern Spain.

The cargo container had sailed from Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Officers can also be seen trying to break a safety box before a woman is detained at what appears to be a separate location.

The final shots show police officers loading the drugs, appearing in the form of green bricks, on vans.

0-02-07-1882e6d56487c6de2e19249c2a81dc77f4e0973349c644ca2de90ce3883a88e7-3f5f762f1fc9a3f9

The operation, in collaboration with the Ecuadorian police, resulted in five raids and one arrest.

The Ecuadorian export company was on police and customs records for a history of "illicit trafficking," according to the police.

Police are looking for two of its managers.

To date, the largest drug seizures in Spain was 9.4 tonnes in 2023, and another 8.7 tonnes five years earlier.

Ecuador intercepted a total of 204 tonnes of drugs between January and September this year, almost the annual average for the past three years, government figures show.

Click here for stories on the Drugs Situation in Fiji

FEATURE NEWS
Tudravu sends senior police officer on leave in relation to allegation of corrupt practices
The Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu has sent a senior officer on leave, to verify information in relation to an allegation of corrupt practices...
54 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Bondi hero receives AUD$2.5 million cheque in hospital bed
Ahmed al Ahmed has received a novelty cheque for more than AUD$2.5 million raised by more than 43,000 worldwide donors, inspired by his extraordinary ...
1 hour ago

Health Ministry works with Ministry of Public Works to repair Navua Hospital
Following ongoing challenges at Navua Hospital, including the closure of its labour, general, and maternity wards since May this year, the Ministry ...
1 hour ago

Nadi braces for festive rush as outdoor sales fees drop to $30
Outdoor sales fees in Nadi Town have been significantly reduced for the festive period, a move expected to boost Christmas and New Year trading as ...
1 hour ago

PS Fisheries publicly reprimanded for wind turbine scandal but returns to work today as per Tribunal decision
As questions are raised on why the Permanent Secretary for Fisheries, Atelaite Rokosuka is starting work in her position again today after being ...
1 hour ago

Another Vishnu Holdings bus involved in accident in the North
A second accident involving a bus operated by Vishnu Holdings Limited has occurred in less than a month - this time the bus was stranded while ...
1 hour ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States has expressed serious concern about human trafficking indicators linked to the Grace Road Group in Fiji, as highlighted in the 2025 ...
19 hours ago

Human trafficking allegations and issues relating to Grace Road Group
Human trafficking allegations and concerns linked to the Grace Road Group/+ARTICLE-311061+ARTICLE/PM says Govt cannot interfere into any human ...
1 day ago

Sonia Shanaaz says silent treatment hurts as she waits for assistance for her daughter with cerebral palsy
Sonia Shanaaz, the mother of 10-year-old Aarna who was born with cerebral palsy, says silent treatment hurts after she reached out to the ...
7 days ago

TOP