Two ex-drug trafficking boats are currently being offered at auction in Spain. The Spanish Ministry of Health, through the Government Delegation for the National Plan on Drugs, has put two boats up for public online auction, highlighting how governments are increasingly turning seized maritime assets into revenue streams with proceeds ultimately supporting drug prevention, rehabilitation and law enforcement programmes.
Forty-two boats have been sold this way by Escrapalia since April 2024 – raising over €500,000.
Millions recovered from criminal assets
“As well as boats, we have auctioned off vehicles (including vans, utility vehicles, motorbikes and luxury cars), jewellery (watches and costume jewellery), construction machinery (lorries and trailers) art and decorative items such as paintings and sculptures, and various other assets that have been seized in connection with drug trafficking,” says José Miguel García De Iracheta, head of the public administration division at SURUS (an asset management consultancy firm, Escrapalia is its online auction portal).
“In total, this has raised over €6,500,000 for the Ministry of Health and the National Plan on Drugs.”
Custom-built with aluminium superstructure
Currently on the ticket is long-hulled motor-sailer Tambo (previously known in the international maritime register as WK London and originally as Anna). It’s in custody (afloat and under guard) at the Naval Military Academy in Marín (Pontevedra, Spain), with full details online. It’s got a starting price of €180,000.
Tambo was seized from drug traffickers and – according to the auction house – represents an excellent and rare opportunity for private investors, shipyards specialising in comprehensive refits, and companies operating in the luxury yacht charter sector. It’s a unique custom-built ketch – by the Liman JSC shipyard – and is constructed with a high-strength naval steel hull and an aluminium superstructure.
Tambo has a 490 HP Caterpillar 3196 diesel engine, two Cummins Onan generators and advanced hydraulic manoeuvring equipment from Harken. Its interior is said to stand out for its high-quality finishes and versatile layout, which includes a spacious main saloon, a sheltered bridge, a lounge area with a bar, and a total of eight cabins, each with its own en-suite bathroom.
Business opportunity for refit and charter operators?
García De Iracheta says that the boats “are auctioned off where they are, and in their current condition. That said, we always offer the option of a viewing so that bidders can assess the condition of the assets.” For Tambo, that takes place on 2 July at the Naval Academy. The online auction will be open for bids until 16 July.
The boats are generally bought by “professionals and private individuals with some form of nautical qualification,” says García De Iracheta. “The buyers range from all sorts of professionals, from companies directly or indirectly involved in the nautical sector, to businesspeople from all walks of life.”
Jeanneau up for grabs
Also heading for auction this month is a Jeanneau Cap Camarat 755 WA (walk-around) – Freskatxon – with full details online. The starting price is set at €500. The vessel is currently beached and available for technical inspection at the Customs Surveillance facilities at the Port of Cádiz – it’s said to be in an acceptable general condition, requiring cleaning, polishing and mechanical review tasks before being put into service. Viewing for that takes place on 7 July. According to Escrapalia, this versatile mid-to-high-end vessel represents another excellent business opportunity for nautical professionals, workshops or active tourism companies.
In each case, a set of terms and conditions has been drawn up and is available to potential bidders, who must make the required deposit prior to the auction to take part in the bidding. These measures are intended to ensure the smooth running of the auction.
Auction proceeds support prevention and enforcement efforts
“All assets seized in connection with drug trafficking are managed on behalf of and for the account of the Government Delegation for the National Plan on Drugs, highlighting the ongoing work and effort the administration continues to make to monetise this type of asset, which comes mainly from the Fund for Assets Seized from Illicit Drug Trafficking and Other Related Offences,” says García De Iracheta.
The funds raised by the Confiscated Assets Fund are used to address the harm caused to society by drug addiction and drug trafficking. These funds are used to finance programmes for the prevention of drug addiction, support for drug addicts, and their social and labour market integration.
In recent years, approximately 70 per cent of this revenue has been allocated to such demand-reduction programmes and 30 per cent to supply reduction (criminal prosecution and police and customs operations). In 2023, €28,350,000 was distributed from the Confiscated Assets Fund.
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