Spanish Police Uncover Drug Smuggling Tunnel Linking Ceuta to Morocco

Spanish authorities announced on Wednesday the discovery of an underground tunnel linking Moroccan territory to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, that is used for drug smuggling. The tunnel, running 12 meters underground and stretching several dozen meters in length, was found during a search of a warehouse in an industrial area of Ceuta. Reinforced with wood, it was used to transport hashish between Morocco and Spain, according to the Civil Guard.

Reports indicate the tunnel extended at least 50 meters into Moroccan territory, though investigators have yet to determine its full length and endpoint. The discovery is part of Operation Hades, an ongoing crackdown on criminal gangs smuggling hashish into Spain via trucks. Over the past three weeks, authorities have arrested 14 people, including two police officers, and seized 6,000 kilos of the drug.

Ceuta, a strategic transit point for drug trafficking between North Africa and Europe, has long been a hotspot for smuggling operations. The tunnel’s existence underscores the increasing sophistication of smuggling networks. Authorities continue to investigate the tunnel’s full extent and whether it was used for other illicit activities.