### Spanish Authorities Seize Record 13 Tons of Cocaine in Massive Drug Bust

In a major victory against drug trafficking, Spanish police have announced the seizure of 13 tons of cocaine—the largest haul in the country’s history. The operation, carried out on October 14, intercepted the cocaine in the southern port of Algeciras. A container ship from Guayaquil, Ecuador, a known hub for drug trafficking, carried the narcotics.

Disguised within crates of bananas, the cocaine was hidden in identically marked boxes. The breakthrough came due to intelligence provided by Ecuadoran police, which led Spanish authorities to the shipment. In connection to the operation, a woman, believed to be a partner in the importing company, was arrested in Toledo. Additionally, two other suspects are currently at large and being pursued by the police.

Spain serves as a crucial entry point for drugs into Europe, largely due to its historical ties with Latin America and its geographical proximity to Morocco, a major cannabis producer. This latest seizure is part of a troubling trend of massive drug hauls being discovered within banana shipments across Europe. Earlier instances include British authorities uncovering over 12,500 pounds of cocaine in a banana shipment in February, and Dutch customs agents seizing 17,600 pounds of cocaine in Rotterdam last August. In another case, Italian police found 3 tons of cocaine in the port of Gioia Tauro inside banana crates.

These significant drug busts highlight the ongoing battle between law enforcement and drug traffickers, who continually devise sophisticated methods to smuggle narcotics across borders.