Rabat – Spanish and Moroccan authorities are working to unravel the full extent of the recently discovered tunnel used for drug trafficking between Ceuta and Morocco.
Investigators suspect it has multiple exits, which only further complicated the inquiry.
The tunnel was discovered as part of Operation Hades, a joint effort led by the Spanish Civil Guard and Moroccan security forces to crack down on international drug cartels.
Dug 12 meters underground, the passage came to light during a high-stakes raid on a warehouse in Ceuta’s industrial zone, just meters from the fortified border separating the Spanish enclave from Morocco.
Officials have identified the tunnel’s entry point and length, but the exact exit location remains unclear.
Early findings also suggest the structure may have several branches, possibly serving as alternative smuggling routes.
The nature of these extensions raises concerns about how the network has been operating and whether the tunnel has been in use for years.
Moroccan authorities have deployed advanced sensors and cameras to examine the site. Their initial inspections near Arroyo de las Bombas revealed multiple possible exits.
As soon as evidence of the tunnel emerged, officials moved quickly to secure the area and deepen the investigation.
Preliminary reports indicate traffickers may have used the passage to transport drugs to various locations before reaching warehouses in Ceuta’s Tarajal district.
The coordinated efforts between Spain and Morocco seek to trace every link in the network and dismantle its operations.
Spanish investigators, who continue to look for additional branches, are suspecting a well-organized smuggling ring using the tunnel to transport large quantities of hashish hidden in trucks and trailers.
Authorities have arrested 14 individuals so far, though they believe more key figures remain at large.
Officials are also considering the possibility that the tunnel may have also facilitated illegal migration.
The case remains open as the authorities continue their efforts to learn the full scope of the network.
