• The container arrived at the port of Barcelona and was headed to Tortosa, the end-use of the legal cargo behind which the cocaine was hidden.

• Close international cooperation and information provided by the National Police of Ecuador made it possible to identify the container in which the drugs were transported in the "rip off" or "blind hook" mode.

November 8, 2024.- Customs Surveillance officials of the Tax Agency have seized 2,597 kilos of cocaine that was traveling hidden in a container from the port of Guayaquil, in Ecuador. The container had arrived at the port of Barcelona and was headed to Tortosa, the end-use of the legal cargo (plant fibre) behind which the cocaine was hidden.

The operation was made possible thanks to close international cooperation and timely information provided by the National Police of Ecuador. This information made it possible to identify and analyse in great detail a set of containers originating in the Latin American country. Based on this information, an initial order was given to open the container doors and then carry out a non-intrusive inspection.

On October 29, the scanner at Barcelona Customs indicated a discrepancy in the image of one of the containers analysed that could be compatible with the presence of drugs inside, although the image was not conclusive.

According to the declaration submitted to Customs, the container contained bundles of textile fibre and was destined for a company with commercial activity in the town of Tortosa, which carried out its activity normally and made frequent imports from Ecuador.

The investigators decided to wait to confirm the end-use of the container and once it was confirmed that the merchandise would be delivered to this company, a discreet surveillance device was established over its transport.

Controlled delivery and false seals

On November 6, a comprehensive review was carried out at the destination. After witnessing the complete unloading of the container, it was observed that there were some black bundles or packages, different from the rest of the cargo. Once opened and inspected by Customs Surveillance officials, a drug test was applied, and the result was positive for cocaine.

Furthermore, seals with the same numbering as those placed at the port of origin were found inside the container, further evidence that it was a "blind hook" and that the intention was to reseal the container once the cocaine had been recovered, so that its illegal opening would go unnoticed.

On this occasion, and for reasons that are still under investigation, the rescue did not take place at the port and the illegal cargo arrived at its recipient together with the legal cargo.

The modus operandi used to try to introduce cocaine has been the so-called "rip-off" or "blind hook", which consists of introducing the drug in a legitimate international shipment and then recovering the narcotics at the destination port before the container is transported to its end-use.

The introduction of the drug into the container occurs when it has already been loaded with legal merchandise. The criminal group is able to access the container and introduce the narcotic in a format that allows for rapid handling, normally bundles or backpacks, which usually weigh between 50 and 70 kilos.

This illegal handling is usually carried out very close to the time when the containers are loaded onto the ship at the port of origin, given that there is less chance of inspection by Customs, having already passed their usual controls.

The investigation is currently ongoing and further arrests are not ruled out.