{"id":1971776,"date":"2026-06-03T14:52:30","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T11:52:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1971776"},"modified":"2026-06-03T14:52:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T11:52:30","slug":"germany-seizes-tonnes-of-cocaine-in-e500m-bust-suspects-arrested-in-spain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1971776","title":{"rendered":"Germany seizes tonnes of cocaine in \u20ac500m bust, suspects arrested in Spain"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/36\/89\/1200x675_cmsv2_676b374f-b2b6-5754-b9a0-a6b8d2f4d0dc-9783689.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2899174-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2899174\" data-cid=\"9784830\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899174-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/48\/30\/189x106_cmsv2_ef816479-4c32-5e9c-8f95-553ccf259e6a-9784830.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a press conference in Berlin, Germany,Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ebrahim Noroozi)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Opinion: Germany in intensive care \u2013 a danger for all of Europe\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2898929-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2898929\" data-cid=\"9783483\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2898929-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/34\/83\/189x106_cmsv2_f8ca5d2b-fb40-586f-9244-7b68d8fdb089-9783483.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Baku Energy Week 2026 , Expo Center\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Azerbaijan<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    There is no energy transition \u2014 only addition, experts say at Baku Energy Week\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899213-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2899213\" data-cid=\"9785010\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899213-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/50\/10\/189x106_cmsv2_17e8c5df-612a-5366-be2d-b707a41f5827-9785010.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The 1896 Cabin is found on HX Expeditions&apos; MS Fridtjof Nansen\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    HX Expeditions unveils cabin inspired by first-ever expedition cruise\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899148-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2899148\" data-cid=\"9784556\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899148-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/45\/56\/189x106_cmsv2_cc6f89d4-2801-5ed9-a602-bae10f5811db-9784556.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - A bitcoin token is placed on a mirror for a photograph in Prague, Czech Republic. 11 May 2025. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Markets<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Bitcoin falls to $61,000, down more than 25% as long-term holders sell\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899174-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2899174\" data-cid=\"9784830\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899174-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/48\/30\/189x106_cmsv2_ef816479-4c32-5e9c-8f95-553ccf259e6a-9784830.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a press conference in Berlin, Germany,Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ebrahim Noroozi)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Opinion: Germany in intensive care \u2013 a danger for all of Europe\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2898929-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2898929\" data-cid=\"9783483\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2898929-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/34\/83\/189x106_cmsv2_f8ca5d2b-fb40-586f-9244-7b68d8fdb089-9783483.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Baku Energy Week 2026 , Expo Center\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Azerbaijan<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    There is no energy transition \u2014 only addition, experts say at Baku Energy Week\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899213-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2899213\" data-cid=\"9785010\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899213-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/50\/10\/189x106_cmsv2_17e8c5df-612a-5366-be2d-b707a41f5827-9785010.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The 1896 Cabin is found on HX Expeditions&apos; MS Fridtjof Nansen\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    HX Expeditions unveils cabin inspired by first-ever expedition cruise\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899148-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2899148\" data-cid=\"9784556\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899148-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/45\/56\/189x106_cmsv2_cc6f89d4-2801-5ed9-a602-bae10f5811db-9784556.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - A bitcoin token is placed on a mirror for a photograph in Prague, Czech Republic. 11 May 2025. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Markets<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Bitcoin falls to $61,000, down more than 25% as long-term holders sell\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Germany seizes tonnes of cocaine in \u20ac500m bust, suspects arrested in Spain<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/36\/89\/1536x864_cmsv2_676b374f-b2b6-5754-b9a0-a6b8d2f4d0dc-9783689.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Several bags of cocaine that were seized by German customs are seen at a press conference at the Customs Criminal Investigation Office in Cologne, 3 June, 2026\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Several bags of cocaine that were seized by German customs are seen at a press conference at the Customs Criminal Investigation Office in Cologne, 3 June, 2026<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspFranziska M\u00fcller&amp;nbsp&amp;&amp;nbspGavin Blackburn\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1780498350\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-06-03 16:52:30 +02:00\">03\/06\/2026 &#8211; 16:52 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"16:53\">16:53<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div 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alt=\"vk\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>VK<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"vk\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Instead of cacao beans, officials found more than 400 packets wrapped in black foil, each containing about 20 blocks of compressed cocaine.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Authorities in Germany said on Wednesday they had seized more than eight metric tonnes of cocaine from a container that was supposed to be carrying cacao beans and two suspects were later arrested in Spain.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>German customs investigators put the street value of the cocaine seized in the North Sea port of Wilhelmshaven at about \u20ac500 million.<\/p>\n<p>The drugs were seized on 9 February and the subsequent arrests were made in El Ejido, in the Spanish province of Almer\u00eda, on 14 May.<\/p>\n<p>The container had arrived from West Africa and was destined for Spain, investigators said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of cacao beans, officials found more than 400 packets wrapped in black foil, each containing about 20 blocks of compressed cocaine.<\/p>\n<p>The shipment was destroyed in Germany before the container was sent on its way to Barcelona.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/36\/89\/808x539_cmsv2_4903812c-2502-57ab-9c0d-b3b4de425da1-9783689.jpg\" alt=\"Several bags of cocaine that were seized by German customs are seen at a press conference at the Customs Criminal Investigation Office in Cologne, 3 June, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Several bags of cocaine that were seized by German customs are seen at a press conference at the Customs Criminal Investigation Office in Cologne, 3 June, 2026<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Investigators identified two suspected organisers of the shipment and arrested them during a handover of the container.<\/p>\n<p>One of them, the manager of an import company, has been linked to a previous cocaine shipment by Spanish customs, the statement said.<\/p>\n<p>The pair could face prison sentences in Spain if tried and convicted.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>&#8216;Today, drugs are everywhere&#8217;<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>At the end of December last year, the outgoing head of the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) warned that &#8220;Today, drugs are everywhere.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Everything can be used or be the object of addictive behaviour. And as a consequence, everybody can face personally or indirectly someone who has a problem of acute or chronic addiction&#8221;, Alexis Goosdeel said.<\/p>\n<p>In 2023, for the seventh consecutive year, EU Member States reported a record amount of cocaine seized, amounting to 419 tonnes.<\/p>\n<p>In its annual report last year, the EUDA said that in 2024, Spain reported its largest ever cocaine seizure in a single shipment: 13 tonnes, hidden in bananas from Ecuador.<\/p>\n<p>Germany seized 43 tonnes of cocaine in 2023, including 25 tonnes in the port of Hamburg, double the amount reported in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>New substances have also begun to appear in Europe, products that target a wide range of consumers, from occasional and socially integrated users to those with problematic consumption patterns and suffering from social marginalisation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-contributors c-article-contributors-supplementary u-margin-top-2 u-padding-top-2\">\n<p>Additional sources<strong> \u2022 AP<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Spain seizes record 40-tonne cocaine haul in Atlantic Ocean, Civil Guard union says<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Portuguese police announce record nine-tonne cocaine haul off the Azores islands<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Cocaine overtakes cannabis as France&#8217;s most lucrative illicit drug<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  cocaine<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Drug-taking<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Spain<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Germany<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Drug-trafficking<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2899131-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899131\" data-cid=\"9784477\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899131-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/44\/77\/320x180_cmsv2_918769c6-429b-53d9-ba84-b4c458df3e69-9784477.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: A cleric speaks on his cellphone next to a portrait of Iran&apos;s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in Tehran, 18 May 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ayatollah says Iran delivered &#8216;decisive blow&#8217; 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class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899131-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899131\" data-cid=\"9784477\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899131-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/44\/77\/320x180_cmsv2_918769c6-429b-53d9-ba84-b4c458df3e69-9784477.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: A cleric speaks on his cellphone next to a portrait of Iran&apos;s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in Tehran, 18 May 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ayatollah says Iran delivered &#8216;decisive blow&#8217; to &#8216;malicious enemy&#8217;<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899174-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899174\" data-cid=\"9784830\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899174-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/48\/30\/320x180_cmsv2_ef816479-4c32-5e9c-8f95-553ccf259e6a-9784830.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a press conference in Berlin, Germany,Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ebrahim Noroozi)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Opinion: Germany in intensive care \u2013 a danger for all of Europe<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2898598-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2898598\" data-cid=\"9781833\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2898598-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/65\/38\/80\/320x180_cmsv2_adc81c42-c828-58d7-b690-a56316cc3994-9653880.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"In this image provided by Sepahnews of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on Feb. 16, 2026, shows troops standing at attention during the guard&apos;s drill.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How Iran-linked accounts faked Irish, Scottish profiles to sway public<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2898944-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2898944\" data-cid=\"9783563\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2898944-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/35\/63\/320x180_cmsv2_316c0aa5-728c-5fb2-b1e9-1796c5f86a4f-9783563.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The full ban on maritime services is currently on hold.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Not happening&#8217;: EU loses hope in services ban for Russian tankers<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899127-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899127\" data-cid=\"9784462\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2899127-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/07\/36\/320x180_cmsv2_2c8205d6-5cbb-5bb5-a1cc-4003dd756abb-9780736.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People protest the new U.S. consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, Thursday, May 21, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Greenland is part of Denmark &#8216;for now,&#8217; Marco Rubio says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2898693-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2898693\" data-cid=\"9782193\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Waiting times for healthcare in Europe: The worst countries ranked<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899031-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899031\" data-cid=\"9783992\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Rama pushes back amid Trump family-linked resort protests in Albania<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2898276-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2898276\" data-cid=\"9780161\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Exclusive: EU Commission to defend Spain in \u20ac106m US energy lawsuit<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2899007-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2899007\" data-cid=\"9783895\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Magyar claims deal with Ukraine to lift veto on EU accession<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2898261-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2898261\" data-cid=\"9780663\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Which European countries attract the most foreign investment?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Authorities in Germany said on Wednesday they had seized more than eight metric tonnes of cocaine from a container that was supposed to be carrying cacao beans and two suspects were later arrested in Spain.German customs investigators put the street value of the cocaine seized in the North Sea port of Wilhelmshaven at about \u20ac500 million.The drugs were seized on 9 February and the subsequent arrests were made in El Ejido, in the Spanish province of Almer\u00eda, on 14 May.The container had arrived from West Africa and was destined for Spain, investigators said in a statement.Instead of cacao beans, officials found more than 400 packets wrapped in black foil, each containing about 20 blocks of compressed cocaine.The shipment was destroyed in Germany before the container was sent on its way to Barcelona.Investigators identified two suspected organisers of the shipment and arrested them during a handover of the container.One of them, the manager of an import company, has been linked to a previous cocaine shipment by Spanish customs, the statement said.The pair could face prison sentences in Spain if tried and convicted.&#8217;Today, drugs are everywhere&#8217;At the end of December last year, the outgoing head of the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) warned that &#8220;Today, drugs are everywhere.&#8221;&#8221;Everything can be used or be the object of addictive behaviour. And as a consequence, everybody can face personally or indirectly someone who has a problem of acute or chronic addiction&#8221;, Alexis Goosdeel said.In 2023, for the seventh consecutive year, EU Member States reported a record amount of cocaine seized, amounting to 419 tonnes.In its annual report last year, the EUDA said that in 2024, Spain reported its largest ever cocaine seizure in a single shipment: 13 tonnes, hidden in bananas from Ecuador.Germany seized 43 tonnes of cocaine in 2023, including 25 tonnes in the port of Hamburg, double the amount reported in 2022.New substances have also begun to appear in Europe, products that target a wide range of consumers, from occasional and socially integrated users to those with problematic consumption patterns and suffering from social marginalisation.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/06\/03\/germany-seizes-tonnes-of-cocaine-in-500m-bust-suspects-arrested-in-spain&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/78\/36\/89\/1200x675_cmsv2_676b374f-b2b6-5754-b9a0-a6b8d2f4d0dc-9783689.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Opinion: Germany in intensive care \u2013 a danger for all of Europe Azerbaijan There is no energy transition \u2014 only addition, experts say at Baku Energy Week Travel News HX Expeditions unveils cabin inspired by first-ever expedition cruise Markets Bitcoin falls to $61,000, down more than 25% as long-term holders [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1971776","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1971776","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1971776"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1971776\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1971776"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1971776"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1971776"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}