Spanish police have shut down a major drug-smuggling operation that used drones to carry hashish from Morocco to southern Spain. But these weren’t just any drones—these were advanced “narcodrones” made in Ukraine, specially built for the job.
Smugglers Go High-Tech
The Strait of Gibraltar, where Spain and Morocco are just 15 kilometers apart, has long been a hotspot for smugglers. Boats have traditionally been the main way to transport drugs, but they’re big and easy for police to spot. Drones, on the other hand, are smaller, faster, and harder to catch, making them the perfect tool for modern-day smugglers.
In this case, the drones were flown from Morocco to Spain, dropping off drugs without ever landing. Each drone could carry up to 10 kilograms of hashish and had a range of about 50 kilometers—just enough to make the journey across the strait.
Operation Cyclone: The Big Bust
Dubbed “Operation Cyclone,” the year-long investigation involved Spain’s National Police, Europol, and law enforcement agencies from Ukraine and Poland. Their combined efforts led to six raids in the Spanish towns of Algeciras and Marbella, key areas for smuggling operations.
Police arrested ten people, seven of whom are already in jail. These individuals, described as being from Eastern European countries, were working for local crime groups in Spain’s Campo de Gibraltar and Costa del Sol areas.
What Did the Police Find?
During the raids, authorities seized three drones—two fully operational and one still being built. The drones, custom-made in Ukraine, were transported by road to Spain before being put to work. These devices allowed the smugglers to move up to 1,000 kilograms of hashish during the operation.
A Growing Trend in Smuggling
This isn’t the first time drones have been used to smuggle drugs from Morocco to Spain. In 2021, a French crime gang used a drone capable of carrying 150 kilograms of drugs, although it had to land to unload. In 2022, a father and son in Cadiz were caught building underwater drones to move even larger amounts of drugs.
The Bigger Picture
Authorities are increasingly worried about how criminal groups are using cutting-edge technology like drones to outsmart law enforcement. The bust shows just how far smugglers are willing to go to innovate and stay ahead of the law.
By taking down this operation, police have sent a strong message: even with the latest technology, the law is watching—and ready to strike.
