Increase in Transatlantic Narco Submarines

There has been a significant increase in the use of narco-submarines for transporting cocaine from South America to Europe, with several incidents reported in recent months. The first confirmed sighting of such a vessel occurred in 2019 in Spain, followed by another in March 2023. Recently, four additional incidents have highlighted the growing scale of this issue. The vessels, which are not true submarines as they cannot submerge, operate by running low in the water to evade detection.

The incidents include the capture of a narco-submarine off Brazil on February 14, 2024, and another interdicted by the U.S. Coast Guard near Guyana on March 21, 2024, carrying over 2,370 kg of cocaine. A third vessel was intercepted off the Galician coast of Spain in June, found empty and heading west, suggesting it had already unloaded its cargo. The fourth incident occurred on June 26, when Spanish police captured a narco-submarine 200 miles from the Canary Islands, which was carrying 900 kg of cocaine.

These vessels typically feature an internal motor design, which is preferred for their longer transatlantic journeys. Additionally, narco-submarines are also being utilized for transpacific routes targeting Australia and New Zealand, indicating a broader trend in drug smuggling operations.