Russian Ghost Fleet and Drug Smugglers Threaten Spain's National Security

Spain faces escalating national security threats from two distinct maritime sources: the expanding Russian "ghost fleet" and increasingly violent drug smuggling operations. A recent national security report highlights that up to 50 Russian tankers are monitored weekly off the Canary Islands, marking a fivefold increase in 2025. Authorities are particularly concerned about these often unsafe vessels potentially sabotaging over 20 critical submarine cables connecting Europe and South America. Simultaneously, drug traffickers operating along the Andalusian coast and the Strait of Gibraltar are employing brutal tactics, including ramming police vessels and using military-grade weapons. Recent incidents have resulted in the deaths of several law enforcement officers in Spain and Portugal. The report notes that smugglers utilize high-speed boats capable of reaching 140 km/h to transport drugs from Morocco, described as the world's largest hashish producer. Despite recent seizures of 41 tons of cocaine, police struggle to match the speed and aggression of criminal networks, prompting urgent calls for reinforced security measures along the southern European coastline.