More than 12 kilograms of drugs, including ketamine and cannabis, have been seized at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport during a week-long international operation targeting drug trafficking through air routes, European border agency Frontex said.
The operation, codenamed Aerial Routes, was jointly led by Spain’s Guardia Civil and Frontex under the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT), which coordinates European efforts against serious and organised cross-border crime.
12+ kg
Drugs Seized
7 EU States
Took Part, With Europol
1 Week
Operation Aerial Routes
5 Frontex Officers
Deployed to Madrid
What Was Seized
| Substance | Quantity | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Cannabis | 11 kg | Packed in five bags |
| Ketamine | 1,536 g | Classified by Frontex as a new psychoactive substance |
| Plant-based substance | 15 plastic boxes | Resembling toxic mushrooms |
Who Took Part
The operation brought together law enforcement authorities from seven EU member states, with Europol participating as a partner:
How Authorities Checked the Airport
During the operation, authorities focused on identifying potential trafficking risks across different parts of the airport. Measures included:
- Risk analysis and profiling
- Canine units
- Inspections of parcels and postal consignments
- Mobile scanners and the airport’s automated baggage handling and screening system
- Physical checks on goods transported by passengers
Frontex Support on the Ground
Frontex deployed four Standing Corps officers and one operational officer to Madrid to provide technical and operational assistance to Spanish authorities. They supported checks on passengers and luggage, as well as inspections of cargo and parcels using specialised equipment.
More Than Seizures
Frontex said the operation was intended not only to intercept drugs but also to strengthen cooperation between European authorities dealing with the increasingly complex movement of synthetic drugs and other psychoactive substances through international airports.
Part of a European Priority
Frontex described the action as part of the Synthetic Drugs and New Psychoactive Substances (SYD/NPS) priority within EMPACT. The agency said the operation strengthened cooperation and mutual trust among participating authorities and laid the groundwork for continued joint efforts against synthetic drug trafficking through Europe’s air borders.
The seizure highlights the growing emphasis on coordinated airport controls as European authorities seek to disrupt trafficking networks using passenger baggage, cargo and postal routes.
