The Civil Guard, in the so-called 'Adriatic Operation', has dismantled an international criminal organization, which would be responsible for the introduction of large shipments of cocaine, specifically 700 kg through the Canary Islands. The investigation began in March 2022 when the Central Operative Unit (UCO) focused on a Polish-flagged sailboat called 'Rossio', which would have established its temporary base in Gran Canaria and which, through exchanges of information with the Croatian police, was suspected of being used to transport cocaine from South America.
From that moment on, the activities of the crew began to be monitored, two Italian citizens linked to the 'Ndrangheta' and a Croatian closely linked to the 'Balkan Cartel'. During the following months, it was verified how these people, without carrying out any type of professional activity, were able to maintain a high standard of living, dedicating themselves exclusively to keeping the sailboat in optimal condition, making small sporadic outings, thus trying to show an apparent normality.
It was not until July 27, 2023, when an unusual trip was detected in which the sailboat 'Rossio', with the two Italian crew members on board, began sailing west, traveling more than 750 nautical miles, on a route surrounding the Canary Islands that had its destination in an isolated point in the Atlantic Ocean and from which it began its return on August 2. Boarding 500 nautical miles northwest of Gran Canaria three days later, specifically on August 5, the sailboat was boarded northwest of the island of Gran Canaria, finding numerous packages of cocaine inside.
This action was carried out by members of the Special Intervention Unit (UEI) with the support of the 'Rio Guadiato' vessel of the Maritime Service, as well as an aircraft of the Air Service of the Civil Guard. At the same time, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the Croatian and a Serbian citizen were arrested, who would be coordinating the operation from land and who at the time of the arrest were carrying the telephones from which they would give instructions to the crew.
Various units of the Civil Guard participated in the boarding: Special Intervention Unit (UEI), Provincial Maritime Service of Tenerife, Air Service, as well as personnel from the investigation unit, having been coordinated by the Technical Unit of the Judicial Police (UTPJ), by the Coordination Center for Maritime Surveillance of Coasts and Borders (CECORVIGMAR) and by the General Staff of the Civil Guard. Likewise, there was support from personnel from the Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas Commands. The Court of Instruction No. 1 of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has directed it, having decreed unconditional imprisonment for all those arrested.