Tanzanian-Flagged Ship Seized with 4 Tons of Cocaine Off Canaries

On October 4, the Tanzanian-flagged vessel RAS was intercepted off the coast of the Canary Islands, leading to the discovery of 4 tons of cocaine and the arrest of the entire crew. Authorities were alerted to the ship due to its erratic course and lack of any cargo operations.

The Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre-Narcotics, based in Lisbon, had been tracking the RAS for its unusual route from Turkey to Africa. The vessel's movements raised suspicion as it made no stops to load or unload cargo during its journey.

Spanish and French forces intercepted the ship 130 nautical miles from Lanzarote, close to West Africa. Onboard, authorities found 4 tons of cocaine valued at $431 million. The crew, consisting of five Turkish nationals, two Azerbaijanis, and one Dutch citizen, were taken into custody.

Investigators suspect the cocaine originated from South America and was transferred to the RAS via ghost ships—vessels that operate without transmitting AIS signals—in the waters near Guinea or Mauritania. The drugs were likely intended for distribution in Europe.