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Málaga, Narco Hotspot: Government Warns of Growing 'Offensive Capability'

A national report places the province in the Strait of Gibraltar axis, highlighting the violence and sophistication of criminal networks.

Generic image of police emergency lights reflecting on wet asphalt at night.
IA

Generic image of police emergency lights reflecting on wet asphalt at night.

The 2025 Annual Report on National Security identifies the province of Málaga as a key area in the fight against drug trafficking, acknowledging the increasing violence and "greater offensive capability" of criminal organizations.

A recent Government report has highlighted Málaga's significance in the drug trafficking landscape, placing it on the map of key activity areas alongside the Strait of Gibraltar Axis. The document emphasizes the transformation of these networks, which have become more violent, employ weapons of war, and prioritize protecting drugs even from Security Forces.
The province of Málaga is consolidating its position as a strategic territory, according to the analysis. Police pressure in the Campo de Gibraltar has led to a redistribution of criminal activities to nearby areas. A recent example cited is an operation in Vélez-Málaga where narcos opened fire on police to protect 5,000 liters of fuel, triggering a pursuit that resulted in two arrests.
The report details the increasing sophistication of criminal gangs, utilizing mother ships, speedboats, and new maritime routes, including narco-submarines. The Strait of Gibraltar is identified as a particularly vulnerable zone, with over 600 go-fast type vessels detected in 2025. Ports, such as Málaga's, are considered critical infrastructure for organized crime, facilitating the international movement of illicit goods.
The Ministry of the Interior acknowledges the growing difficulty in combating drug trafficking due to its aggressiveness and "greater offensive capability." The report, published in April 2026, notes that drug traffickers do not hesitate to ram vehicles and vessels to avoid interception or the loss of drugs. There is an observed "growing coordination between criminal actors and certain hostile intelligence services."
The use of Artificial Intelligence and drones for drug trafficking is highlighted, complicating police work. The Special Security Plan for the Campo de Gibraltar has altered operations, forcing refueling at sea, which entails added risk. The recruitment of minors for crimes ranging from threats to assassinations is another grave concern.
Although cocaine seizures slightly decreased in 2025, the maritime route remains the primary one, with ports like Algeciras, Barcelona, and Valencia as key points. The Guadalquivir River plays a significant role in drug entry via narcolanchas. An increase in South American organizations directly involved in import and distribution is detected, characterized by their mobility, adaptability, and violence.
Drug concealment methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated, including in heavy machinery, double hulls in ships, and components of refrigerated containers. The presence of "weapons of war" and advanced monitoring equipment significantly increases the complexity of operations. The European Drugs Agency points to new distribution routes from Canada, the USA, and Thailand.
Hashish has reactivated its route from Morocco, being channeled via maritime routes. This activity has led to an increase in fuel seizures in Southern Spain to supply narcolanchas.

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