Spain, Police Seize Unmanned 'Submarine Drones' Used to Move Drugs
Drugs, drones, and divers in Spain: The semi-submersible vessels can be operated remotely and carry up to 440 pounds of narcotics
Spain, a 14-month investigation into a one-of-a-kind drug operation culminated this week in the arrest of eight people by Spanish police
An unnamed criminal group created custom-built air, land, and sea vehicles intended to transport drugs to criminal organizations across Europe, the BBC reports.
While Spanish authorities have found such aquatic, drug-toting vessels in the past, the ones seized by police this month could independently transport 440 pounds of cocaine or other narcotics across waterways without requiring an on-board, human operator.
“This is the first time that this type of vehicle has been intervened, which operates underwater without a crew on board, called unmanned underwater vehicles or UUV (Unmanned Underwater Vehicle), known as ‘submarine drones,'” Spanish police said in a statement.
Spain, a video posted to the police Twitter account (@Policía Nacional) shows one fully built and two partially constructed submarines
Each appears to be 6- to 8-feet long with a gray-blue color.
The body is rectangular with a boxy, cone shape on one end to propel it smoothly through the water like a torpedo.
On top are two rectangular cutouts and a tall, smokestack-like cylinder.
The police also uncovered a fleet of six aerial drones that could fly as far as 18.5 miles, £135,527 in cash ($161,201), and 31 pounds of hashish and 18 pounds of marijuana, much of it stored in a car.
The video also shows other items the group modified to carry drugs, such as a surfboard with a secret compartment added below it (known as a “double-bottom”).
In total, the police found 13 double-bottom vehicles, including a tow truck they intercepted on its way to Denmark.
What Are Unmanned Underwater Vehicles?
UUVs have wide applicability since they allow underwater exploration without costly, risky human diver missions.
UUVs have helped with marine research, military operations, and commercial applications such as construction surveys and pipeline inspections, reports Inside Unmanned Systems.
In May, the US Navy proposed investing hundreds of millions into developing and building a fleet of UUVs.
An ROV operates off the coast of Venezuela
There are two types of UUVs: remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).
In the Spain instance, the submarines were semi-submersible ROVs. They were equipped with GPS systems and could be operated by anyone around the world using any internet-connected device, the BBC reports.
In contrast, AUVs cut out human involvement and are often preprogrammed to perform a designated task between points.
Spain, Where Were the Drugs Going?
Given the aquatic nature of the drones, the Spanish authorities said they were capable of crossing the Straight of Gibraltar.
The 8-mile stretch lies at the southern tip of Spain, providing relatively easy access to Morocco.
The North African country is a major cannabis producer, making Spain a key entry point for drugs to be distributed throughout Europe.
However, the police believe the drones were intended to be delivered to drug traffickers in neighboring France, so the French police partnered with the Spanish police on the investigation, which revealed the group’s numerous international ties.
They are believed to have provided “logistics services to all kinds of criminal organizations” in countries such as Italy, France, and Denmark, although the Spanish police noted they are still operating on a “medium scale.”
Read Also:
Emergency Live Even More…Live: Download The New Free App Of Your Newspaper For IOS And Android
Fotokite Flies At Interschutz: Here Is What You Will Find In Hall 26, Stand E42
India, ICMR Publishes Medical Drone Guidelines
Study In European Heart Journal: Drones Faster Than Ambulances At Delivering Defibrillators
SICUR 2022, What The Madrid Security Fair Will Be About
Fotokite At The Service Of Firefighters And Security: The Drone System Is In Emergency Expo