Spain leads the confiscation of cocaine and cannabis plants in Europe

BrusselsThe European country where the largest quantity of the two most consumed drugs on the continent is seized is Spain. The 2026 European Drug Report, published this Tuesday, indicates that the Spanish state accounts for up to 75% of marijuana plant seizures in Europe and 38% of cocaine, although the total tons seized have decreased substantially.

Regarding marijuana, the study by the European Union Agency for Drugs (EUDA) records a significant decrease in seizures across the continent, especially in the Spanish state. At the community level, they were reduced by 42% in 2024 compared to 2023 and reached a historic low of 321 tons.

This decrease in the European continent as a whole is largely due to Spain's 45% drop, which is the country where "the most important seizures normally occur." Nevertheless, the State continues to lead the ranking of tons of cannabis plants seized and confiscates three-quarters of the European total, the equivalent of 206 tons annually.

Spain also leads the list for cocaine seizure, confiscating 38% of the total in the European Union. Although the difference compared to the rest of the European states is not as large as with cannabis plants, it is also significant. The State seized 124 tons in 2024, and France around 54. The total amount of this drug confiscated was substantially reduced across the European continent: it went from 419 tons in 2023 to 330 in 2024.

A security problem

The report warns that the presence of cannabis plant farms contributes to an increase in criminal acts. Although it does not specify the case of Catalonia or Spain, it points out that in 2024 across the European Union, 477,000 crimes related to the consumption or possession of marijuana were reported, and around 74,000 crimes related to its supply.

However, beyond crimes directly linked to drugs, the EUDA report warns of the consequences for general security and highlights that for community authorities, the "intimidation and violence" associated with it is a "cause for concern". "In particular, the exploitation and recruitment of vulnerable young people by criminal groups to traffic drugs and perpetrate acts of violence is worrying," the European agency points out.

The report also warns that organizations involved in drug trafficking quickly adapt to the measures of the authorities and security forces fighting against them. Thus, the EUDA notes that these groups have already diversified their routes and methods to evade "detection", and explains that they increasingly resort to smaller ports, speedboats or small vessels, as well as drones and other "sophisticated techniques".