Ten arrested after narco boat fires on Guardia Civil patrol in Huelva

Ten suspected drug traffickers have been arrested after the occupants of a narco boat opened fire on a Guardia Civil patrol vessel off the coast of Huelva in the early hours of August 17-18. The operation, carried out jointly with the Tax Agency's Customs Surveillance Service, also seized two boats and 5,926 kilograms of hashish Source: Euronews (Español). One suspect, wounded by gunfire, was abandoned by his companions on the coast of Cádiz and later taken to a hospital in Puerto Real Source: lavanguardia.

The attack

During the pursuit, the suspects performed dangerous evasive maneuvers and threw part of their cargo into the sea to hinder the patrol boat. They then fired at the officers, who responded with shots to repel the attack. The narco boat escaped after the patrol vessel suffered a breakdown Source: infobae. On August 20, a coordinated assault on the boat and a second support vessel led to nine arrests and the hashish seizure Source: elmundoes.

Escalating violence

The incident highlights growing violence by drug gangs in Andalusia. In April, an operation in Seville seized 3,370 kilos of hashish, 288 kilos of cocaine, and six war weapons, including AK-47 rifles Source: euronewses. Police unions warn of increased professionalism and violence, demanding more resources Source: euronewses.

Political dispute

Regional president Juanma Moreno has called for reactivating the OCON-Sur unit, while the Interior Ministry defends its reorganization and points to the V Special Security Plan for the Campo de Gibraltar, with €38.2 million for 2026 Source: euronewses. The investigation remains open Source: lavanguardia.