Record 40 Tons of Cocaine Seized from Ship by Spanish Police – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria – Spanish authorities executed one of the most significant drug busts in maritime history last Friday when the Civil Guard intercepted a freighter packed with an estimated 40 tons of cocaine. The operation unfolded in international waters near the Canary Islands, where patrol boats halted the vessel en route from West Africa. This seizure dwarfs previous records and underscores the escalating scale of global cocaine trafficking networks.
The Massive Interception at Sea
The Civil Guard’s Maritime Service spotted the merchant ship Arconian in waters off Western Sahara, prompting a swift response from the patrol boat Duque Ahumada. Officials boarded the vessel, which flew the flag of Comoros and had previously operated under the name Astro. Inspectors discovered the ship’s holds brimming with around 1,500 bales of cocaine, filling the cargo space completely.
Exact measurements continue as teams unload and verify the contents in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where the ship docked under escort. Initial assessments peg the haul between 35 and 45 tons, marking it as the largest cocaine seizure ever recorded. The operation unfolded after the ship left Freetown, Sierra Leone, on April 22, ostensibly bound for Benghazi, Libya.
Crew Arrests and Onboard Discoveries
Twenty-three individuals faced arrest upon interception, including 17 Filipinos who managed the ship’s operations and six Congolese men serving as armed guards against pirate threats. Authorities also uncovered extra fuel reserves aboard, likely intended to supply speedboats for smuggling runs. No resistance occurred during the boarding, allowing for a controlled takeover.
The guards’ role highlighted the perils of these routes, where hijackings remain a constant risk for traffickers. Ongoing probes aim to trace the cocaine’s origin and final markets, though rumors point to European connections. The sheer volume suggests sophisticated planning behind the shipment.
Links to a Notorious Dutch Trafficker
Sources within the Civil Guard Union tied the cargo to Jos Leijdekkers, a Dutch kingpin known as “Chubby Jos” or “Bolle Jos,” who reportedly oversees smuggling from Sierra Leone. Leijdekkers has evaded capture despite mounting legal pressures across Europe. His presence in Freetown positions him at the heart of local cocaine networks.
Investigators note the transit through Sierra Leone aligns with his operations, fueling speculation about his involvement. A video from January surfaced showing a man resembling Leijdekkers at a church service with Sierra Leone’s President Julius Bio and possibly his daughter. Such ties complicate international efforts to dismantle these syndicates.
Leijdekkers’ Trail of Crime and Sentences
Courts in Belgium and the Netherlands handed down 57 years in prison sentences to Leijdekkers in absentia for orchestrating six cocaine transports totaling nearly 7,000 kilograms, an armed robbery in Finland, and ordering a murder. A Dutch court in 2025 seized €112 million in his assets, falling short of the €250 million initially targeted. Prosecutors detailed profits exceeding €114 million from 14 shipments in under a year, plus €47 million spent on 975 kilograms of gold.
His name also surfaced in the 2019 disappearance of Naima Jillal. Images recovered from a phone in the Marengo probe depicted a woman matching her description, suggesting torture and likely death, though her body remains missing. These cases paint a picture of a figure entrenched in violence and vast illicit wealth. Law enforcement agencies, including Europol, continue tracking his movements.
Broader Implications for Global Drug Trade
This record seizure signals the immense profits driving cocaine flows from South America through African ports to Europe. Spanish waters near the Canary Islands have become a hotspot for such intercepts, reflecting heightened patrols. The operation’s success relied on intelligence and rapid naval response, setting a benchmark for future efforts.
Yet challenges persist as traffickers adapt with larger loads and armed protection. The bust disrupts one network but exposes the resilience of others. Authorities now focus on following the money and connections back to source countries, aiming to prevent the next mega-shipment from reaching shore.