11 arrested in Barcelona-Menorca cocaine route case

A reported cocaine-smuggling network using modified vehicles on ferry routes between Barcelona and Menorca was dismantled after 11 arrests and seizures of more than six kilograms of the drug.

Brandon Watea · 13 Sep 2026 · 2 min read

Eleven people were arrested in an investigation into an alleged cocaine-smuggling route using regular ferry services between Barcelona and Menorca, according to a report published by Diari Catalunya on Friday 11 September. The operation is reported to have removed what authorities described as Menorca's main maritime entry route for cocaine.

For Barcelona residents and ferry users, the case concerns drugs allegedly concealed inside vehicles travelling through the city’s port, rather than a disruption to passenger services. Diari Catalunya reported that one person was arrested at the Port of Barcelona in mid-July after about 3.5kg of cocaine was found in two adapted vehicles.

Drugs allegedly hidden in modified vehicles

The National Police, Civil Guard and Customs Surveillance reportedly investigated a group led from Ciutadella, Menorca. The group allegedly used vehicles of the same model and year, modified to contain concealed compartments beneath seats or within dashboards.

These compartments, referred to in the reporting as caletas, were hidden spaces built into a vehicle to conceal goods. Some were operated hydraulically.

In May, investigators reportedly found 2kg of cocaine at the port of Ciutadella and arrested the vehicle’s occupant.
In mid-July, about 3.5kg was reportedly seized at Barcelona’s port from two vehicles with hydraulic concealed compartments, with one arrest.
On 29 July, simultaneous searches in Ciutadella, Maó, Es Castell and Carcaixent reportedly led to nine further arrests, nearly 1kg of cocaine ready for distribution, about €9,000 in cash and five modified vehicles being seized.

Five searches and seven vehicles seized

Diari Catalunya reported that eight of the nine people arrested in the final phase were detained in Menorca and one in Carcaixent. Across the investigation, the reported total was 11 arrests, more than 6kg of cocaine, seven vehicles seized, three of them with concealed compartments, and five property searches.

The publication said the alleged leaders had been remanded in custody by court order.

The figures in this case should not be confused with the Tax Agency’s Joker/Yayo operation, announced on 23 July. That separate official investigation concerned cocaine trafficking between Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, and ended with 21 arrests and nearly 303kg of cocaine seized.

Primary sources: sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es. Reported by diaricatalunya.cat, mallorca.com, majorcadailybulletin.com, infobae.com, menorcaaldia.com, À Punt NTC, GIRONA NOTÍCIES, eleconomista.es, elconfidencial.com, Diari Catalunya.