Galicia is experiencing an unprecedented influx of cocaine in 2025. In just ten months, authorities have already seized 11.5 tons of the drug—more than in the entire previous year. The value of the confiscated cargo exceeds 800 million euros. Authorities are particularly concerned about the appearance of new narco-submarines, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated and harder to detect.
Cooperation between international intelligence agencies has led to the interception of several such vessels, but experts believe this is just a small fraction of what actually arrives in Europe. The main flow comes across the Atlantic, with a surge in activity expected closer to the winter holidays, when demand for drugs traditionally spikes. On average, nearly a ton of cocaine is intercepted in the region each month, with shipments arriving both by sea and through major ports, such as in Vigo.
New routes and technologies in the drug trade
The container terminal in Vigo has become a real headache for law enforcement. Here, drugs are often hidden among legitimate goods arriving from Latin America. In recent years, drug cartels have increasingly relied on homemade submarines, which are sunk after delivery to destroy evidence. Just this year, two such vessels have reached the Galician coast, and there is reason to believe some of the seized shipments arrived this way.
Police report that narco-submarines are the most profitable and discreet way of transporting drugs. They are cheaper to build, and the chances of successfully delivering the cargo are higher. At the same time, through information sharing with international partners, authorities manage to identify and intercept such vessels even while still at sea. However, there is still a lack of technical means to effectively combat this phenomenon, especially when it comes to breaking into criminals’ encrypted communication channels.
Supply routes and new players
Cocaine trafficking routes are becoming increasingly complex. After a new shipping line between Vigo and South America was opened to transport fruit and fish, drug cartels saw it as the perfect opportunity for their operations. The port of Vigo has seen a rise in activity from international criminal groups, including those from Albania and Belgium, connected to the so-called Balkan clan. This organization controls a significant share of the cocaine market in Europe and Latin America.
A German shipping company has launched regular routes, stopping at ports such as Guayaquil (Ecuador), Colombia, Peru, Panama, and Costa Rica. In addition to Vigo, vessels dock in Málaga, Valencia, Barcelona, and several Italian ports. Each journey involves hundreds of loading and unloading operations, making oversight more difficult and increasing the risk of drug smuggling.
Police response and future challenges
In response to increased threats, inspections have been ramped up at the port of Vigo, and artificial intelligence has been introduced to analyze the contents of containers. However, some shipments are now being rerouted through Portugal—particularly through the port of Porto—ultimately making their way into Galicia despite these measures.
Prosecutors note that today’s drug syndicates know how to evade surveillance and use secure messengers for coordination. Authorities are calling for changes to legislation and greater technical capabilities for investigations. Despite recent successes, the fight against drug trafficking in Galicia is far from over: criminal networks continue to seek new routes and refine their methods.
