HM Customs Gibraltar Drug Bust: 500 kg Cocaine Intercepted with FIFISH Underwater Robot
Executive Summary
In October 2023, HM Customs Gibraltar executed two record‑breaking cocaine seizures from the bulk carriers Unity N and Alice Oldendroff, recovering 508 kg of narcotics (street value ≈ £30 million). A compact, all‑directional FIFISH remotely operated vehicle (ROV) enabled patrol officers to scan each vessel’s hull quickly and safely, locating hidden sea‑chest compartments without deploying divers.
Operation Overview
| Date | Vessel | Quantity Seized | Concealment Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Oct 2023 | Unity N | ≈ 458 kg of cocaine | Packages magnet‑clamped inside a sea chest |
| 10 Oct 2023 | Alice Oldendroff | ≈ 50 kg of cocaine | Similar concealment below the waterline |
“This extraordinary feat underscores the relentless law‑enforcement effort by Customs.” — HM Government of Gibraltar press release 701/2023
Operational Challenge
Sea‑chest concealment – Packages were hidden deep inside narrow recesses below the waterline.
Safety & time constraints – Traditional diver inspections are slow, costly, and expose personnel to hazards.
Night operations & low visibility – Searches began after 22:00 hrs in turbid waters.
FIFISH Solution
| Core Capability | Specification (Common Across FIFISH Range) | Operational Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| All‑directional 6‑thruster configuration | 360° pitch, yaw & lateral movement | Precise hovering inside sea‑chest recesses |
| 4K UHD camera + 166° FOV | Lossless zoom & evidentiary recording | Clear video for on‑scene prosecutors |
| Powerful dual LEDs | Adjustable intensity | Penetrates murky water at night |
| 100 m – 500 m depth rating & tether | Covers the entire draft of Panamax‑size vessels | No risk of losing the ROV |
| Lightweight & rapid deployment | Launch from small RHIBs | Fast response during bunkering stops |
These capabilities are standard across the FIFISH product family, providing a proven baseline for agencies that can later scale up to heavier‑duty E‑ and W‑Series systems with advanced tooling and autonomy packages.
Results
508 kg of cocaine was removed with no injuries or delays to commercial traffic.
Record seizure – Largest Class‑A drug haul ever recorded by HM Customs Gibraltar at the time.
Operational validation – Success prompted Gibraltar’s decision to expand its underwater‑drone fleet in 2024.
Key Takeaways for Maritime‑Security Agencies
Force multiplier – A single operator can clear an entire hull in minutes, reserving divers for evidence recovery only.
Scalable adoption – The modular FIFISH portfolio enables agencies to start with portable inspection units and upgrade to intervention-grade ROVs as the mission scope expands.
Versatile toolkit – Beyond contraband searches, the same platform supports search‑and‑rescue, mooring‑line checks, and pier inspections.
Training-friendly – A gamepad-style controller and optional VR headset cut the learning curve to hours, not weeks.
