Spain's Civil Guard announced on Monday that it had seized a record amount of cocaine in the Atlantic Ocean. Officers found between 30,000 and 45,000 kilograms of the drug on a freighter that was traveling toward Libya. Authorities called it the largest single drug seizure in Spanish history.

The operation involved naval officers who stopped the vessel in international waters. Investigators believe the cocaine was produced in South America and was intended for distribution in North Africa and Europe. The exact origin of the cargo is still under investigation.

Drug trafficking routes through the Atlantic have been a major concern for European law enforcement agencies. Criminal groups have used cargo ships to move large amounts of illegal drugs across long distances. Officials say that improved international cooperation helped make this operation possible.

Spain has been one of Europe's most active countries in fighting drug smuggling at sea. In recent years, Spanish authorities have increased the number of patrols in the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions. This latest bust shows that efforts to block drug supply routes are producing results.

European officials praised the operation as a significant step in disrupting organized crime networks. If the full amount is confirmed at 45,000 kilograms, the street value could reach several billion euros. Authorities say multiple arrests were made, and the investigation is ongoing.