On 26 October 2026, an investigating judge ordered pre-trial detention without bail for a man who had been arrested on 8 October in Antigua on Fuerteventura with 354 kilograms of hashish in a 4x4. The Guardia Civil announced the decision on Monday. The suspect is accused of an offence against public health involving drug trafficking; no charges have yet been filed.
According to the Guardia Civil, officers spotted an inflatable boat coming ashore on a beach on Fuerteventura’s east coast during the night of 8 October. Several patrols then cordoned off the coast and checked the exit routes. The 4x4 in which the drugs had reportedly been loaded was stopped as it left the coastal area. During the search, officers seized six large bales and other packages distributed around the interior. The Guardia Civil put the total weight of the seized goods at 354 kilograms of hashish.
The court subsequently ordered pre-trial detention without bail. The suspect will therefore remain in custody while the investigation continues. The authorities gave no information about his identity, address or possible accomplices. It also remains unclear where the inflatable boat came from and where the drugs were to be transported. The information about the events, date and quantity comes from statements by the Guardia Civil, which were reported by elDiario.es and Europa Press .
The Canary Islands are considered a transit point for routes bringing hashish from North Africa to the European Union by sea, owing to their position in the Atlantic. Police and judicial authorities stress that landings by inflatable boats are a particular operational priority, as large quantities of drugs can be brought ashore in a short time. In similar cases, investigators regularly examine traces on equipment, phone and vehicle data, and possible logistics chains between the coast and distribution networks. What conclusions can be drawn in the current case remains unclear and will depend on the outstanding investigative steps.
There have so far been no court decisions on guilt or sentencing. The pre-trial detention now ordered is intended to safeguard the proceedings and is not a presumption of guilt. Further statements from the authorities about the case have been announced but not yet published.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).