Nur-Zeynep Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

A significant drug bust involving a staggering quantity of cocaine was executed following a tip-off from a criminal informant to the Dutch police. The operation targeted the cargo vessel 'Arconian', which was intercepted off the coast of Western Sahara with six men on board: five Dutch nationals and one Sudanese. The boarding, conducted by a specialized unit of the Guardia Civil, discovered the suspects hiding in the vessel's bow, heavily armed with three machine guns, two pistols, and a substantial cache of ammunition. These individuals were allegedly assigned the task of safeguarding an extraordinary shipment of cocaine, concealed within a long corridor behind a fortified metal door aboard the ship. Preliminary investigations left authorities guessing the total quantity of drugs until confidential Spanish documents surfaced, confirming the presence of 1,279 cocaine packages, amounting to an unprecedented 30,216 kilograms. This record-breaking seizure is valued at approximately 812 million euros according to Spanish law enforcement. Additionally, investigators seized a considerable stash of fuel, comprising 2,108 jerrycans containing over 42,000 liters of petrol. Some of the suspects are known to law enforcement agencies, indicating their backgrounds in criminal activity. Among them is Alexander T. (36) from Rotterdam, who previously served a seven-year prison sentence for attempted murder at an Antillean celebration, an incident that left his victim with a permanent injury. Another suspect, Jomairo M. (22) from Almere, had been arrested earlier in Rotterdam for allegedly attempting to collaborate in drug retrieval operations. Meanwhile, Xavier S. (33) from Groningen is set to appear in court in February 2026 related to money laundering of stolen goods. The 'Arconian' set sail from Sierra Leone on April 22 and was destined for Libya. Spanish authorities received the impactful intelligence over a week later from their Dutch counterparts, along with the American Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Reports indicated that the criminals intended to offload the drugs onto fast boats in open waters to avoid detection at conventional ports. Various sources, both within the criminal underworld and law enforcement, have suggested that 'Bolle Jos' Leijdekkers, the Netherlands' most wanted criminal, is orchestrating this massive drug shipment. Leijdekkers is currently a fugitive reportedly hiding in Sierra Leone, where he is allegedly in a relationship with the daughter of the country's president, while he serves a 24-year sentence for drug trafficking and acts of violence in the Netherlands.

In a significant maritime operation, the National Court Judge Ismael Moreno has ruled the provisional detainment of 23 crew members aboard the 'Arconian'. This vessel was intercepted near the Canary Islands and is reported to be carrying between 30 to 50 tons of cocaine, marking it as one of the largest drug seizures in history. Following their appearance before the court on May 6, the judge accused the suspects of drug trafficking and involvement in a criminal organization, with the case currently sealed from public disclosure. Previously, the record for the largest cocaine seizure at sea in Europe stood at around 10 tons, achieved during an operation in January in similar waters. The recent interception of the 'Arconian' could vastly surpass that figure, potentially reaching three to four times the amount, overtaking previous Spanish records including the 13 tons confiscated in the port of Algeciras in 2024. Investigators are looking into possible links between this operation and the 'Mocro Maffia', a notorious criminal organization rooted in the Netherlands, prompting collaboration with Dutch authorities during the crackdown. The vessel was found to have six heavily armed individuals on board, with the cocaine concealed behind sealed metal panels aimed at avoiding detection. Authorities uncovered approximately 1,500 bales of illegal drugs within the ship's hold, each weighing between 25 to 30 kilograms. Currently, the 'Arconian' is secured under strict police surveillance in the port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

In a significant law enforcement operation, the Spanish Civil Guard has made an astonishing drug bust aboard the cargo vessel 'Arconian' at the Navy base in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. With oversight from the National Court, authorities are investigating what has been confirmed as the largest drug seizure in Spain's history, potentially three to four times greater than previous records. On May 5, the Government Delegation in the Canary Islands reported that the ship was carrying approximately 50 tons of cocaine, valued between 3 to 3.5 billion euros on the street. While official details remain sparse due to the ongoing investigation, the Unified Association of Civil Guards has revealed this unprecedented amount. The operation has resulted in the arrest of 23 crew members hailing from the Philippines, the Netherlands, and Angola. Following their apprehension, these individuals were transported to Madrid and are expected to appear before an investigating judge on May 6. This judge will determine if they will face pre-trial detention, be extradited, or be tried collectively in Spain. For more details and images, visit the linked reports: https://www.lavozdelanzarote.com/en/news/events/the-freighter-arconian-was-transporting-30-to-45-of-cocaine-the-largest-haul-in-many-years_243152_102.html and https://www.rtl.nl/nieuws/artikel/5598299/mogelijk-50-ton-cocaine-op-smokkelschip-nederlanders-bolle-jos-canarische.

On the evening of May 1, 2026, a specialized unit of the Guardia Civil successfully intercepted the vessel 'Arconian' approximately 200 nautical miles off the coast of Tenerife, discovering a staggering cargo of over 30 tons of cocaine concealed within the ship's hull. This interception marked a significant milestone, representing the largest haul of cocaine ever seized in high seas near the Canary Islands. The 'Arconian' had embarked from Freetown on April 22 and was making its way to Libya when authorities executed the operation. According to reports, the final weight of the cocaine will need to be confirmed on land, but early estimates suggest its street value could range between €390 million and €520 million based on current wholesale prices in Spain, where one kilogram of cocaine is valued at approximately €13,000. Upon intercepting the vessel, investigators from the Guardia Civil coordinated with elite units including the Grupo de Reserva y Seguridad Nummer 8 and the Unidad Especial de Intervención. The operation involved initial approach by patrol boats, which facilitated boarding via rigid inflatable boats. The 'Arconian' was found to have a crew of 23 members—17 Filipinos who were engaged in navigation and seamanship, and 6 Angolans responsible for cargo security. Disturbingly, these crew members were armed with various firearms, including AK-47s and M16 assault rifles, intended for protection against potential rival drug traffickers. The arms were discovered stashed in the ship’s bow but were not utilized against the Guardia Civil during the operation. Adding to the evidence of organized criminal activity, numerous gasoline canisters were found on board, ostensibly meant for fueling smaller speedboats intended to facilitate the transfer of drugs to shore. Following the interception, the 'Arconian' was towed to the port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where further investigations are underway. The Audiencia Nacional court has mandated that details of the investigation remain confidential, indicating that additional updates may not surface soon. Interestingly, the vessel had previously operated under the name 'Nur Zeynep' before being reflagged under Comoros on February 16. For comprehensive coverage, including photos and videos of the operation, check out the following links: - [Fuerteventura Zeitung](https://www.fuerteventurazeitung.de/2026/05/polizei-entert-frachter-mit-30-tonnen-kokain-nahe-kanaren-besatzung-mit-sturmgewehren-bewaffnete/) - [El Pais](https://elpais.com/espana/2026-05-03/la-guardia-civil-intercepta-en-alta-mar-un-carguero-con-un-gigantesco-alijo-de-cocaina.html) - [La Voz de Galicia](https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/espana/2026/05/04/20-detenidos-tras-interceptar-cerca-gran-canaria-buque-mayor-alijo-cocaina-espana/00031777891231512175534.htm) - [RTVC](https://rtvc.es/interceptado-un-buque-con-hasta-45-toneladas-de-cocaina-que-ya-se-encuentra-en-el-puerto-de-las-palmas-3-mayo-2026/) This maritime enforcement operation underscores the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in international waters and highlights the critical role of law enforcement agencies in maintaining security in the region.