Spanish Police Resolve Hostage Crisis Involving Drug Boat Crew, Arrest All Suspects

Spanish police apprehended a group of suspected cocaine traffickers aboard a vessel from South America in the Atlantic Ocean after a violent incident led one member of the crew to shoot a fellow smuggler and take the others hostage, as reported by the interior ministry on Wednesday.

The events transpired in November, but details were kept confidential until the investigation was concluded. According to the ministry’s statement, tensions among the crew escalated when a Serbian national gained control of the boat, named Sea Paradise. He shot one of the other smugglers, disposed of the body by throwing it overboard, and took the remaining eight crew members captive.

Following a tip-off regarding a shipment of approximately 2.3 tonnes of cocaine destined for transfer to a smaller boat near the Canary Islands, Spanish law enforcement launched an operation. During this action, they discovered the hostage situation unfolding onboard the vessel.

A police team reached the Sea Paradise at an undisclosed location and engaged in lengthy negotiations with the gunman. Ultimately, he surrendered his weapon and released the hostages, who were reportedly in fear for their lives. All individuals aboard were subsequently taken into custody, and the cocaine was recovered from a concealed compartment on the boat.