Twenty arrests in international cocaine investigation
Cooperation between Spain and Ecuador led to twenty arrests in Ecuador. According to Europol, the network under investigation used fruit shipments to smuggle cocaine into Europe.
Operation CANTABRIA’s action day took place on 8 October 2026. Alongside twenty arrests in Ecuador, 23 properties were searched. Spanish and Ecuadorian investigators worked with Europol’s support.
Investigators describe cocaine concealed in commercial fruit shipments. Europol cites more than 43 tonnes seized across thirteen operations between 2022 and 2026. That total relates to the wider investigation, not only this action day.









































