Spanish Customs Surveillance officers have seized 1,420 kilograms of cocaine from a large vehicle arriving in Valencia on a ferry from Ibiza, detaining the Romanian driver in an operation carried out on October 2.

The seizure took place as part of Operation Reventón, a Customs Surveillance operation targeting drug trafficking through ferry connections between the Balearic Islands and mainland Spain.

The operation was carried out by Vigilancia Aduanera, part of Spain's Tax Agency, during routine checks at the Port of Valencia.

Cocaine discovered using X-ray scanner

As vehicles were being unloaded from the ferry arriving from Ibiza, Customs Surveillance officers selected several large vehicles for inspection.

One vehicle produced an unusual image during an X-ray examination carried out using the specialised Medusa scanner.

The scanner allows officers to examine the contents of vehicles without physically opening the cargo and can identify differences in density or possible concealed compartments that may indicate the presence of undeclared goods or narcotics.

In this case, officers observed two clearly different types of merchandise in the vehicle's cargo area.

A subsequent physical inspection found a large number of bales hidden behind a screen near the rear door. The bales were consistent with those commonly used to transport narcotics.

A narcotics test subsequently returned a positive result for cocaine.

1,420 kilograms seized

The total quantity of cocaine seized was 1,420 kilograms, equivalent to approximately 1.42 tonnes.

The cocaine was concealed within the vehicle's cargo.

The driver, who is of Romanian nationality, was arrested and the vehicle and seized narcotics were transferred to Customs Surveillance facilities.

The detainee was subsequently placed at the disposal of the duty Investigating Court in Valencia.

The proceedings have been handed to the relevant section of the Court of First Instance of Valencia.

Cocaine had entered Ibiza by sea

According to the Tax Agency, the cocaine had previously been brought into Ibiza by sea before being transported onwards towards mainland Spain.

The seizure therefore occurred in Valencia, rather than in Ibiza itself.

The case highlights the role of routine customs controls on ferry routes connecting the Balearic Islands with the Spanish mainland.

The Medusa scanner

The operation relied heavily on the Medusa X-ray scanning vehicle used by Customs Surveillance at the port.

The system allows officers to examine large numbers of vehicles quickly and identify irregularities in their cargo without initially having to carry out a physical search.

The Port of Valencia has three maritime terminals connecting with the Balearic Islands, and Customs Surveillance conducts periodic controls on ferry arrivals and departures.

According to the Tax Agency, specialised personnel and scanning equipment are deployed shortly before vessels arrive in order to keep the inspections unexpected.

Investigation continues through the courts

The driver has been detained on suspicion of drug trafficking and placed at the disposal of the judicial authorities.

The seizure forms part of Operation Reventón, which demonstrates the continued use of ferry connections between the Balearic Islands and mainland Spain as a focus for customs controls.

At this stage, the confirmed facts concern the seizure, the arrest of the driver and the judicial proceedings. No further conclusions about the organisation behind the shipment should be drawn unless established by the ongoing investigation or subsequent court proceedings.