Spain is ramping up pressure on the European Union, demanding a pan-European ban on the manufacture, possession, and use of speedboats and semi-submersible vessels, which are actively used by drug cartels to transport illegal substances. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, at a meeting in Paris with representatives from seven member countries of the anti-crime coalition, called for criminal liability for violating these rules to be enshrined in national legislation, as has already been done in Spain since 2018. According to El Pais, the initiative has gained support amid a rise in the number of seizures of such vessels in the country.
Tightening control
Since 2018, when Spain introduced criminal liability for the use of speedboats to transport drugs and migrants, the number of seized vessels has increased dramatically. Eight years ago, law enforcement confiscated just 22 such boats, but by 2024 this figure had reached 1,699. The average annual number of seizures over the past five years stands at 238. Authorities note that after the tightening of Spanish laws, part of the drug trade has shifted to neighboring territories where controls are weaker.
Portugal joins the coalition
Special attention at the meeting in Paris was given to Portugal, which recently tightened its own legislation regarding speedboats. In October 2025, a law came into force in the country, providing for prison terms for the production, possession, and operation of such vessels. This decision was made shortly after a tragic incident on the Guadiana River, where a National Republican Guard officer died while chasing drug boats. Portugal has now officially joined the European coalition against organized crime, which, according to Spanish authorities, is especially important due to the country’s strategic location between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Expanding the fight
Minister Grande-Marlaska emphasized that the fight against drug trafficking requires not only tougher measures within the EU but also active cooperation with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, from where most of the drugs originate. An important part of the strategy has also become the fight against so-called ‘petaqueo’—the illegal refueling of drug boats. Since February 2026, this has been a separate criminal offense in Spain, punishable by up to five years in prison.
Action plan and priorities
During the meeting, the coalition, which includes Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, and now Portugal, approved a joint action plan through 2028. Key objectives include dismantling international criminal networks, enhancing security along maritime routes, combating illicit financial flows, developing preventive measures, and strengthening international cooperation. As noted by El Pais, these steps are aimed at making operations more difficult for drug cartels and increasing the effectiveness of law enforcement in Europe.
Issues of controlling illegal transportation and fighting organized crime are becoming increasingly relevant for EU countries. Such measures have already yielded significant results in other areas: for example, in Catalonia, the largest underground tobacco factory was recently uncovered, which was also made possible through coordinated actions by law enforcement agencies (read more about the fight against illegal business in the regions).
