SPAIN has recorded its largest-ever seizure of marijuana originating from Canada after authorities intercepted a major drugs shipment at the Port of Valencia earlier this month.

Officers confiscated a staggering 3,289 kilos of marijuana, along with a further six kilos of suspected Canadian hashish.

The haul is estimated to be worth more than €6 million on the European black market.

The investigation kick off when officers identified a suspicious container in transit through Valencia, which was believed to be concealing narcotics among legitimate goods on March 7. 

Spain finally cracks down on phone thieves with tough new three-year jail sentences

A subsequent inspection confirmed those suspicions, uncovering what officials described as the largest quantity of marijuana ever seized in Spain from Canada — one of the world’s leading producers of the drug.

Investigators believe the shipment formed part of a sophisticated smuggling operation, designed to disguise illegal drugs within international trade.

The seizure is considered particularly significant not only due to its size, but also because of the range of substances discovered. 

Officers noted that the six kilos of hashish differ substantially from more commonly seized products, suggesting a higher market value and potentially new production methods.

Malaga sex predator lured ‘good-looking’ vulnerable young migrant men into car with promises of ‘easy money’ robbing tourists

Valencia Port, CC Wikimedia radwoc

The case is now being handled by a Valencia court, with potential charges, including smuggling and offences against public health.

The operation also forms part of broader EU security initiatives aimed at tackling organised crime and emerging threats.

Law enforcement agencies have warned that, as trafficking methods continue to evolve, sustained cross-border cooperation will be essential to stay ahead of increasingly complex smuggling operations.
Click here to read more Crime & Law News from The Olive Press.

18 PEOPLE have been arrested in Spain for defrauding the Tax Agency out of €32.8 million in VAT on alcohol imported from several EU countries.

The probe was coordinated by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office(EPPO).

It focused on the use of shell companies which used fake invoices to avoid paying taxes on alcohol sold in Spain.

At the request of the EPPO in Madrid ??, 18 presumed members of a criminal network were detained on Wednesday for their alleged involvement in a €32.8 million VAT fraud scheme linked to imported alcohol from several EU Member States. More: pic.twitter.com/SqPiFRKMFH— European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) (@EUProsecutor) March 27, 2026

The arrests were executed by the Policia Nacional and the Tax Agency on Wednesday which included the detention of five ringleaders.

Officers searched 12 addresses in Barcelona, Tarragona and Valencia provinces, targeting the premises of companies, the homes of suspects and tax warehouses.

Bank accounts belonging to 60 people and companies under investigation, vehicles, 40 properties and €430,000 in cash were seized in Spain, along with additional seizures in Portugal.

Multiple electronic devices have been seized, including mobile phones, as well as an ‘abundant’ amount of documents relevant to the investigation.

ALCOHOL TAX SCAM

The EPPO said two tax warehouses located in Spain were part of the elaborate scam.

Alcohol subject to excise duties were stored at the premises, without the need to immediately pay VAT,

The tax is only due when the products leave warehouses for commercial distribution.

The criminal enterprise network used bogus intermediaries in Spain who allegedly became responsible for paying VAT once they had ‘bought’ the alcohol.

These third-parties however ‘vanished’ without paying the required duty.

The imported alcohol was then sold to a chain of shell companies via fake invoices with distribution across Spain- avoiding any tax payment.

The Policia Nacional said the gang defrauded tax authorities out of around €32.8 million between 2019 and 2025, with proceeds being laundered.

One of the shell companies investigated had links to the British Overseas territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The EPPO probe remains active with further arrests not being ruled out.
Click here to read more Crime & Law News from The Olive Press.