Tenerife Court to Try Two Men Over €2.6 Million Hashish Smuggling Case

The Fifth Section of the Provincial Court of Santa Cruz de Tenerife will begin the trial next Tuesday for two Moroccan men accused of drug trafficking. Their case highlights the ongoing pressure that smuggling networks place on the Canary Islands’ coastline. Prosecutors are seeking a six-year prison sentence for each defendant, alleging they were responsible for transporting narcotics worth more than 2.6 million euros.

The case centers on an inflatable boat found stranded near the coast of Tenerife. When authorities intercepted the vessel, they discovered 49 bales containing over 1,418 kilograms of hashish. Prosecutors claim the two men—who had no prior criminal records and were carrying no identification at the time—intended to land the drugs for distribution by others.

The prosecution has charged the men with a crime against public health. They are seeking an increased sentence due to the large volume of drugs seized and the use of a maritime vessel to bring the contraband into the territory. In addition to prison time, the prosecution has requested that the defendants be barred from voting during their sentences, that they cover legal costs, and that the drugs and mobile phones seized during the arrest be destroyed or confiscated.

This trial underscores the challenges of monitoring the archipelago’s borders, where smugglers frequently use inflatable boats to move illicit goods. Notably, the prosecution is focusing on criminal liability rather than requesting a financial fine, a specific strategy for this type of large-scale case. The court’s decision will determine the extent of the defendants' roles in the logistics of smuggling large quantities of drugs onto Tenerife’s shores.