Spanish police have dismantled a sophisticated 500-meter drug smuggling tunnel connecting the Spanish enclave of Melilla with Morocco. The tunnel, discovered in an operation in late March 2026, featured an electrical network, ventilation, and a soundproofing system.
Authorities described the structure as an "engineering work" and stated it was built by a "very, very powerful organization." The tunnel originated in a villa in a residential area of Melilla and exited near a farm on the Moroccan side.
The investigation, which also involved Moroccan authorities, led to the arrest of eight individuals. Police seized 1,300 kilograms of hashish and 30 kilograms of marijuana during the operation.
This discovery highlights the advanced methods used by criminal networks to traffic narcotics between North Africa and Europe. Melilla and Ceuta, Spain's other North African enclave, are frequent targets for such smuggling attempts due to their geographic position.
