The Guardia Civil has arrested a driver in the port of Melilla who 25.1 kilograms concealed hashish in his vehicle. According to the security forces, the drug shipment was found during a security check before boarding the ferry to Málaga discovered. The drugs were divided into a total of 56 packages and hidden in the car’s fuel tank . The arrested man was handed over to the judicial authorities.
The check took place in the processing area, where vehicles and luggage are routinely inspected. According to the Guardia Civil, the car was flagged during the initial screening; a more thorough search revealed the packages in the tank. The authorities initially released no information about the driver’s identity or any possible accomplices.
Investigators link the seizure to criminal groups’ ongoing efforts to smuggle drugs via maritime links from the North African exclave to Andalusia. The port of Melilla is considered a key point on smuggling routes to mainland Spain because of its location on the border with Morocco and its regular ferry connections. Similar checks have repeatedly uncovered drugs concealed in vehicle parts, including fuel tanks.
According to the authorities, the Guardia Civil’s frequent checks are intended to prevent security risks and smuggling without unnecessarily disrupting traffic. According to the reports available, there was little impact on scheduled ferry services in this case. The next steps are now in the hands of the competent investigative and judicial authorities; so far, they have provided no information about a formal charge or any possible links to larger drug-trafficking networks.
Spain has recorded regular seizures of hashish shipments for years. These often originate in the Maghreb and are sometimes transported in vehicle hideaways. The latest case at the port of Melilla shows that the authorities are responding to evolving smuggling methods — such as the use of cavities in vehicle systems — with appropriate measures. The Guardia Civil stresses that such finds result from targeted risk assessments and technical inspections before boarding.
Investigations into the origin, destination and possible participants are ongoing. The authorities say they will provide further details once their initial assessments are complete.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).