In January 2023, Spanish authorities intercepted a cargo ship named Blume, flagged in Togo and operated by a Greek company, off the Canary Islands. The vessel had departed from Brazil and was officially carrying 200 tonnes of coffee. However, due to suspicions about its low declared cargo weight and other irregularities, authorities raided the ship. The search uncovered over 4.5 tonnes of cocaine, hidden onboard. The drug haul, valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars, was a major blow to drug smuggling operations between Latin America and Europe. The entire crew was arrested, and the vessel was escorted to the port of Santa Cruz, Tenerife. The seizure marked one of the largest maritime drug busts in the region. It was followed just six days later by another similar case: Spanish authorities also intercepted the Orion V, another Togo-flagged ship, which was used to transport a similar amount of cocaine. This second seizure confirmed suspicions of a broader trafficking network. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and police from Togo assisted with both investigations, signaling international collaboration in combating drug smuggling routes through Atlantic maritime paths.
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More than a year after the seizure of the Blume, Greek authorities have arrested three individuals believed to be connected to the ship’s Greek-based operator, Dignatio Corp. The arrests were made after an extensive investigation led by the Hellenic Coast Guard and Greece’s anti-money laundering unit. These individuals are reportedly involved in either the ownership or management of the company responsible for operating the ship. Although the suspects have denied involvement in the drug smuggling, they are set to appear before a public prosecutor in the coming days to respond to formal charges. The arrests represent a significant development in the ongoing effort to trace the upper layers of organized crime networks responsible for maritime drug trafficking. Investigators believe Dignatio Corp played a central role in facilitating the shipment, possibly acting as a front for illicit operations. The company itself has not issued any official statements and could not be reached for comment. Authorities are continuing to explore the financial trail and operational structure of the company. The investigation is likely to expand further as law enforcement agencies trace links across Europe and South America, reinforcing the international scale of the case.
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