Revolutionary Underwater Drone Aids Customs in Major Cocaine Bust from Cargo Ship

Image Credits: HM Govt of Gibraltar

Recently, HM Customs in Gibraltar made a significant drug bust, seizing 120 kilograms of cocaine from the bulk carrier M/V Great Zhou. this ship, flying the Panamanian flag, had just come from Santos, brazil and was in Gibraltar for refueling.

On April 30th, customs officers utilized a newly acquired underwater drone to meticulously search the vessel. Thier efforts extended into the early hours of May 1st.

During their inspection,they discovered four suspicious packages tucked away in the ship’s port-side sea chest. These were promptly retrieved and brought to HMC Sentinel at the Customs Marine Base for further examination.

Upon opening these packages, officials confirmed they contained a staggering total of 120 kilograms of cocaine.

Following this finding, customs agents interviewed all crew members and conducted an exhaustive search of the ship before allowing it to leave port. Though, investigations are still active as authorities suspect that Gibraltar wasn’t meant to be the final stop for this shipment. The operation effectively thwarted a substantial amount of illegal drugs from reaching their intended market and disrupted potential profits for traffickers.The successful detection was largely attributed to the use of an underwater drone purchased back in December 2024—a game changer for such operations.

Image Credits: HM Govt of Gibraltar

John payas, collector of Customs, commended his team’s dedication during this complex operation. He also highlighted how crucial support from Gibraltar Port Authority’s vessel Traffic Services (VTS) was in managing maritime movements within British gibraltar Territorial Waters.

Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo expressed his congratulations to HM Customs on yet another victory against organized crime. He noted that significant investments have been made into customs operations aimed at combating drug-related offenses—investments that are now yielding tangible results not only locally but also impacting regions where these drugs might have ended up.

This incident underscores how modern technology can enhance law enforcement capabilities while showcasing international cooperation against drug trafficking networks.