Key facts
- Spanish and Dutch police seized 947 kg of MDMA, the largest such seizure in European history.
- The drugs were destined for South America, with traffickers intending to exchange them for cocaine.
- The MDMA was concealed inside a crane and was to be transported from Antwerp, Belgium, to Ghana.
- Fifteen people were arrested in Spain and the Netherlands, with 12 remanded in custody.
- Investigations began in early 2025, with raids occurring in late January 2026.
Police in Spain and the Netherlands have made a historic seizure of 947 kg of MDMA, the largest amount of the drug ever confiscated in Europe. The illicit substance was bound for South America, with authorities stating that traffickers intended to exchange it for cocaine.
The operation, which began with investigations in early 2025, culminated in joint raids in late January 2026. The MDMA was found concealed within a crane at the Belgian port of Antwerp, set for transport to Ghana. In Ghana, the drugs were to be traded for cocaine, which would then be shipped to Europe via Spanish ports before the MDMA itself was sent to South America.
Authorities reported the arrest of 15 individuals across both countries, with 12 of them being remanded in custody. The suspects face charges including offenses against public health, membership in a criminal organization, electricity fraud, and unlawful possession of weapons. In addition to the MDMA, police also seized 644 cannabis plants, three firearms, €46,000 (approximately $52,615), and five luxury watches.