By Neelam Rahim

Following a 14-month-long investigation, Spanish police have seized semi-submersible drones utilized by drug traffickers to ship narcotics across the Strait of Gibraltar into Spain. The inside Ministry said on Tuesday, the first time such purpose-made devices have been discovered in Spain.

Three drones, including one made out of a surfboard, were found together with six large flying drones in several warehouses near the port city of Cadiz. Juan Antonio Siloleo, head of the central narcotics brigade, told reporters in Cadiz.

The smugglers topped themselves and built three unscrewed vessels, each capable of ferrying 440 pounds (220 kg) of drugs across the Strait. While one of these vessels was entirely built, the other two were under construction when the authorities seized them. According to the official statement, the vessels were due to be handed over to French drug traffickers.

The 14-month investigation, administered in partnership with French police, established that the gang had been supplying logistical help to clients in Italy, France and Denmark, further on criminal gangs in Catalonia, the Costa del Sol, the Campo de Gibraltar, and Ceuta, one among Spain’s two North African enclaves. The gang specialized in building false boat bottoms and hidden storage compartments for cars and trailers and were now building marine drones too.

During the arrests, Spanish National Police also seized nearly 320 pounds (145 kg) of hashish, 17.67 pounds (8 kg) of marijuana, and €157,370 (US$162,200) in cash.

Six of the eight people charged with drug traffic and belonging to a criminal organization are remanded in custody.