Police in Spain and the Netherlands have seized 947 kilograms of MDMA destined for South America, in what Spanish authorities described as the largest seizure of the synthetic drug in European history.
Spanish police said Tuesday that 15 people were arrested in both countries, with 12 remanded in custody. The suspects face charges related to public health offences, membership in a criminal organisation, electricity fraud and illegal weapons possession.
Authorities said the trafficking network planned to hide the MDMA inside a crane that was to be shipped from the Belgian port of Antwerp to Ghana. Once in Ghana, the drugs were allegedly to be exchanged for cocaine, which would then be sent back to Europe through Spanish ports. The MDMA was then intended to be shipped onward to South America.
The investigation began in early 2025 and uncovered a trafficking route linking Spain, the Netherlands, Africa and Latin America, according to Spanish police.
Joint raids were carried out in late January 2026 after authorities confirmed that the shipment was about to take place.
Police also seized 644 cannabis plants, three firearms, 46,000 euros in cash and five luxury watches.