Almost three tons of cocaine were seized by Spanish police on board a sailing ship sailing in the Atlantic. The operation led to the arrest of six suspects linked to the gang in the Balkans, Europol said on Friday, AFP reported.

Spanish police, which arrived with a warship, intercepted the yacht and seized 2.7 tons of cocaine hidden in duffel bags, Europol said in a statement.

“The targeted organization (…) was suspected of organizing the shipment of several tons of cocaine from Brazil to the European Union,” the Hague-based agency said.

“Investigators have identified a citizen of Serbia as one of the main organizers of a criminal network,” Europol reported, emphasizing “the important role played by criminal networks, which are mostly made up of citizens of the Balkan region, in the global cocaine trade.” “

According to the Spanish police, the operation took place on August 24, approximately 1,300 km west of the Spanish archipelago of the Canary Islands.

According to Spanish police, two people were arrested on board the boat and four in Serbia, including the leader of the organization.

The operation also led to the seizure of two cars, luxury watches and more than €550,000 in cash in Serbia.

Police in Belgrade began an investigation last January against this cartel, suspected of large-scale cocaine trafficking across the Atlantic Ocean.

According to Europol, “the main coordinators of the drug cartel organized delivery operations through encrypted communication platforms.”

Towed to the Canary Islands by a Spanish warship, the yacht “sunk” due to its condition, suggesting traffickers are using boats in very poor condition bought at a lower price to “maximize profits”, Spanish police said in a statement.

The announcement of the seizure comes after police and Spanish customs announced the seizure of nearly 9.5 tons of cocaine in Ecuador on Friday, believed to be the country’s largest seizure.

Spain’s proximity to Morocco, a major producer of hashish, and its close ties to South America, where cocaine originates, make Spain one of the main gateways for drugs into Europe.