The Civil Guard and the Tax Agency, in what is termed Operation SILBO, have successfully dismantled one of the most active criminal organisations based in the Canary Islands concerning drug trafficking. This operation led to the arrest of 34 individuals across nearly 40 searches conducted at various locations in Spain.
This investigation began over two years ago, spearheaded by the Central Operative Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard and the Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency. It has involved collaboration with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Judicial Police of Cape Verde, all coordinated by EUROPOL.
During the operational phase, actions were carried out on the islands of Tenerife, La Gomera, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura, as well as in other provinces such as Madrid, Barcelona, Pontevedra, A Coruña, and Málaga.
Tenerife Businessman
The investigation was centred around a 42-year-old businessman from Tenerife with ties to the nightlife, hospitality, and construction sectors, as well as several companies abroad. Investigators confirmed that he directed a complex criminal organisation from the Canary Islands, aimed at introducing significant quantities of drugs regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Cocaine Shipments via Mother Ships
Alongside his business activities, this businessman negotiated the delivery of substantial quantities of cocaine from mother ships coming from South America to other vessels he managed, primarily for subsequent entry into the Canary archipelago.
In this context, investigators seized two significant shipments destined for Santa Cruz de Tenerife. One, containing 500 kilograms of cocaine, was intercepted in January 2024 from a boat that had previously transferred the drugs from a vessel arriving from South America. Subsequently, in November of the same year, another shipment of 1,600 kilograms of the same substance was confiscated.
In the latter case, the leader of this criminal organisation had arranged for a fishing boat in Guinea-Bissau, along with a partner based in Galicia, intending to source the drugs similarly to the previous seizure, taking advantage of the well-known “African cocaine route.”
Furthermore, this individual maintained maritime and land infrastructure on other islands in the archipelago, which were used to receive considerable quantities of hashish from Morocco, destined for the UK, yielding rapid financial returns. Investigators noted several meetings with British nationals in the Costa del Sol related to drug trafficking in the UK.
Throughout the investigation, it was also revealed that they had plans to acquire illegal firearms on the mainland while providing military training to other group members.
Laboratory in Tenerife
During the operation, a cocaine processing and cutting laboratory was discovered in a property in El Escobonal, Tenerife, where a large quantity of highly toxic chemicals and the necessary tools for processing and adulterating cocaine were stored.
This investigation, led by the Court of Instruction No. 3 of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and carried out by the Central Operative Unit (Organised Crime Team, ECO Canarias) and the Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency, has resulted in the seizure of 2,185 kilograms of cocaine, modified firearms in perfect working condition, over 600,000 euros in cash, 16 vehicles, and five vessels (a fishing boat, a yacht, and three speedboats), along with the blocking of movable and immovable assets valued at over 2 million euros.
