Spanish authorities announced on January 12 the seizure of a merchant vessel off the coast of Tenerife, in the Atlantic Ocean. The ship, sailing under a Cameroon flag according to a Spanish police source cited by international media, was carrying 9,994 kg of cocaine concealed in more than 200 bags of salt. The vessel had a crew of 13 and had departed from Brazil bound for Europe.
Spanish authorities said the operation, dubbed “White Tide,” was the largest cocaine seizure ever carried out on the high seas by the National Police. The previous record dates back to 1999, when the vessel Tammsaare was intercepted with 7.5 tons of cocaine hidden in its bow.
Cameroon flag under closer scrutiny
Ships registered in Cameroon have repeatedly been linked to seizures involving various forms of trafficking. Cameroonian authorities have faced criticism over alleged lax oversight in the granting of its flag. In response, the government has moved to tighten registration criteria, with vessels regularly struck from the registry for involvement in illicit activities.
The Sky White was removed from Cameroon’s registry after being intercepted with 3 tons of cocaine off the Canary Islands in August 2025. The Freedom 7 was similarly deregistered in October of the same year for illicit trafficking. Cameroon’s merchant fleet currently includes more than 200 registered vessels.
Ludovic Amara