Gunfire and water breach in seizure of 3,360 kg of cocaine off the Canary Islands
Civil Guard officers survived a gunfight and the imminent sinking of their patrol vessel during an anti-drug operation 130 km from the Canary Islands.
Armed drug traffickers ram Civil Guard patrol vessel in Canary Islands waters
An anti-drug operation at sea off the Canary Islands coast resulted on 1 September in the seizure of 3,360 kilograms of cocaine distributed across 139 packages, according to ABC. The mission nearly ended in tragedy after traffickers opened fire on the officers and deliberately rammed the official vessel.
The rigid-hulled inflatable boat was intercepted approximately 130 kilometres from the Canary Islands coast in highly adverse weather conditions and strong seas. Its five occupants, aged between 21 and 41, were armed with two assault rifles and attempted to flee the interception.
Deliberate collision and water breach
The drug traffickers engaged in gunfire between both crews and executed a deliberate ramming manoeuvre, striking the Civil Guard patrol boat's hull below the waterline. The impact opened a significant water breach in the official vessel.
The Unified Association of Civil Guards (AUGC) describes the experience as officers having lived through "moments of extreme tension": they were forced to move and secure the heavy confiscated packages whilst simultaneously battling the massive influx of water and rough seas. The situation became so critical that urgent support from a rescue helicopter was required, which deployed two dewatering pumps to prevent the vessel from sinking.
All officers were unharmed. The five detainees were transferred to shore and placed at the disposal of the courts, where they face charges of drug trafficking, serious disobedience, illegal possession of firearms and membership in a criminal organisation.
AUGC denounces lack of resources and demands fleet renewal
The AUGC warns that the operation once again came close to "an irreparable tragedy that could have claimed several lives". The association considers it "intolerable" that the officers protecting Spanish maritime borders should "risk their lives in vessels that do not meet the necessary safety conditions" nor have the capacity to respond against traffickers' speedboats.
Among its demands, described as "non-negotiable", are the complete renewal of the Maritime Service fleet and replacement of the oldest vessels with modern units. The association also demands high-buoyancy body armour, noting that the use of standard body armour in a maritime environment "poses a serious drowning risk in the event of falling into the water due to equipment weight".
Additionally, the AUGC calls for "urgent reinforcement of staffing levels and an increase in operational resources" to address the rising violence of drug trafficking gangs, as well as the immediate declaration of Special Singularity Zone status for the territories most affected by drug trafficking, acknowledging "the harshness, psychological burden and dangers of these postings".
Source: ABC