Spain Busts Drug Smugglers Using ‘Monkey’ Method | Mariner News
Spanish authorities have successfully dismantled a major drug smuggling operation, marking a significant Spain drug bust. This sophisticated network employed illicit tactics, including the notorious “monkey method” and hijacking commercial containerships, to transport vast quantities of cocaine from Colombia into Europe. The multi-agency investigation, spanning months, has dealt a severe blow to international maritime drug trafficking.
Unpacking the “Monkey Method” and Maritime Hijackings
The criminal organizations utilized the “monkey method,” where individuals stealthily boarded containerships, often attaching narcotics directly to the hull or hiding them within legitimate cargo. Near the Spanish coast, these smugglers would then attempt to retrieve the contraband, sometimes resorting to hijacking vessels or small boats. Police responded to two separate incidents involving containerships reporting stowaways and attempts to commandeer their vessels to offload drugs.
Major Cocaine Seizures and International Links
During one dramatic incident, officers found 38 bales of cocaine on a ship bound for Cadiz, totaling 1,355 kilograms. Another vessel in Portuguese waters reported armed stowaways successfully offloading drugs from containers. These coordinated efforts by Spanish law enforcement led to the identification and apprehension of three distinct organizations, one notably linked to the infamous Balkan Cartel. The arrests and substantial cocaine seizures, including an 88-kilogram find in Malaga, underscore the relentless fight against maritime narcotics.
