Last year, the State Security Forces seized 22,553 kilos of cocaine in the Canary Islands or en route to the islands, twice as much as in 2022, which represents a fifth of the total amount of that drug seized in Spain (19.6%).
These figures make the Canary Islands the second community in the country with the most cocaine seized, only behind Andalusia, where 26,757 kilos were seized, according to statistics from the Intelligence Center against Terrorism and Organized Crime (CITCO).
Due to its geographical position, in the middle of several international drug trafficking routes between America, Africa and Europe, last year the Canary Islands was also the fourth community with the most hashish seized: 18,702 kilos, 53.38% more than in 2022.
This figure represents 5.23% of the total hashish seized that year in Spain. Above these quantities are Andalusia, with 247,153 kilos; the Valencian Community, with 27,762 kilos; and Catalonia, with 20,698 kilos.
After cocaine and hashish, the most important drugs in seizures in the Canary Islands in 2023 were cannabis pollen, with 3,446 kilos; marijuana, with 272 kilos; methamphetamine in powder or rock, with 44 kilos; other cannabinoids, with 26 kilos; heroin, with 17 kilos; and anabolic steroids, with 13 kilos.
During 2023, 1,017 people were arrested for drug trafficking in the Canary Islands, 6.85% more, and 27,662 complaints were filed on the islands for this type of crime, 5.22% less.
In Spain as a whole, in 2023, the Canary Islands accounted for 4.34% of those arrested for drug trafficking and 6.75% of the complaints.
In 2023, the State Security Forces arrested 25,527 people in Spain for drug trafficking, 5.8% more than the previous year, and seized 530 tons of cocaine, heroin, hashish and marijuana.
In addition to these quantities, there are one million marijuana plants located especially in regions such as Andalusia, Catalonia, Aragon, Castilla-La Mancha and the Valencian Community.
However, a notable drop in cannabis crops has been detected (57%), while there has been an increase in seizures of cocaine (101%), hashish resin (12%) and heroin (66%), reports the Ministry of the Interior.
In addition, CITCO reflects the detection of other prohibited substances such as 810,504 units of ecstasy (74.98 percent more than in 2022), 259 kilos of methamphetamine in powder or rock (220.11% more) and 419,115 units made with this same drug (56.87% more); 232 kilos of crystal (15.67% less), 412 of amphetamine sulfate (40.77%) and 105,854 units of this drug (89.13% more).
By region, Andalusia leads the number of detainees, 7,355 (2.01 percent less than in 2022), followed by the Community of Madrid, 4,921 (15.48% more); Valencian Community, 4,208 (13.98% more); Region of Murcia, 1,325 (20.13% more); Canary Islands, 1,107 (6.85% more); Castilla-La Mancha, 1,034 (1.17% more); Catalonia, 1,024 (1.69% more).
In addition, Balearic Islands, 939 (10.73% more); Galicia, 803 (0.86% less); Aragon, 725 (11.71% more); Castilla y León, 683 (4.61% less), Extremadura, 433 (4.09% more); Asturias, 224 (14.18% less); Cantabria, 165 (28.91 percent more); La Rioja, 155 (25%) more); Navarra, 114 (14.93% less), and Basque Country, 83 (41.55 percent less).
Also in Ceuta 121 (18.79% less) and in Melilla 93 (17.70% less).
