Spanish police on Thursday said they had broken up a criminal network that used Ukrainian-made drones to fly hashish from Morocco to Spain, arresting 10 people.
The suspects based in southern Spain flew the drugs across the narrow Strait of Gibraltar separating Morocco from the Iberian Peninsula “using uncrewed aircraft”, police said in a statement.
The devices were capable of transporting up to 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of drugs per trip with an autonomy of more than 50 kilometres (31 miles).
They were made by small-scale manufacturers in Ukraine and “transferred by road” to southern Spain, where they released the drugs and returned to Morocco without needing to land, they added.
Drone production has soared in the eastern European country in the wake of the 2022 Russian invasion.
Spanish police arrested 10 people following collaboration with Ukrainian and Polish law enforcement.
The authorities seized three drones, tools, remote control devices and “significant quantities” of cash and drugs suspected of entering Spain via the unusual aerial route.
Spain is a main entry point for drugs into Europe because of its close ties with former colonies in Latin America and its proximity to Morocco, a top cannabis producer.
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