Istanbul-departed Tanzanian vessel caught smuggling cocaine near Canary Islands
General Cargo ship RAS in Istanbul, Türkiye. (Photo by Cavit Ege Tulca via Marinetraffic)
A Tanzania-flagged ship, carrying approximately 4 tons of cocaine, was seized near the Canary Islands by Spanish and French authorities on Oct. 4.
The ship, named RAS, had departed from Istanbul’s Zeytinburnu port on July 28, according to a statement from Türkiye’s Ministry of Interior.
Drug trafficking operation uncovered
The ship’s crew of 10 individuals, including seven Turkish nationals, two Azerbaijani and one Dutch, were arrested during the joint operation. The Interior Ministry shared details on social media, noting that the vessel’s route and speed were analyzed, revealing that the cocaine was likely transferred from “ghost ships” off the coast of Guinea or Mauritania before heading for Europe.
Complex route and international cooperation
The RAS departed Istanbul in late July, made brief stops in Casablanca and Sierra Leone, and lingered in Bissau before heading toward Alexandria, Egypt. It was intercepted northeast of the Canary Islands. The Turkish police’s anti-narcotics unit has been in close communication with Spanish counterparts to assist in the investigation.
Detailed timeline of the ship’s movements
- July 28, 2024: The ship departs from Istanbul, Türkiye.
- Aug. 9-10, 2024: Brief stop in Casablanca, Morocco.
- Aug. 21 – Sept. 11, 2024: Anchored near Freetown, Sierra Leone.
- Sept. 13-20, 2024: Waiting for port clearance in Guinea-Bissau.
- Oct. 4, 2024: The vessel was seized near the Canary Islands with 4 tons of cocaine onboard.
Authorities suspect the drugs were intended for European markets.
