This footage was filmed and produced in November 2023.

In a daring rescue operation led by the National Police and Customs Surveillance, eight hostages were freed last November from a harrowing situation aboard a boat carrying 2,300 kilograms of cocaine worth a staggering $230 million destined for the Canary Islands. The operation, dubbed "Neptune," had been kept under wraps until now, as authorities worked tirelessly to unravel a criminal network.

According to a statement by the Police General Directorate, the dramatic mission involved a Serbian crew member turning on his fellow sailors, leading to a fatal shooting and a grim discovery at sea. The perpetrator – who is now facing charges of both kidnapping and homicide – took drastic measures to maintain control of the vessel, instigating a dangerous standoff that put innocent lives at risk.

It was a race against time as law enforcement officials tracked down the criminal organization behind the massive drug smuggling operation, which originated in South America. Upon intercepting the 'Sea Paradise,' a towing vessel involved in the illicit scheme near the Canary Islands, a complex operation involving elite forces was swiftly set in motion.

From the deployment of specialized pilots from Customs Surveillance to the high-stakes intervention by the Police Special Operations Group (GEO), every detail of the rescue mission was meticulously planned and executed within a tight timeframe. The operation culminated in a heart-pounding confrontation at sea, where brave officers bravely confronted the armed assailant and swiftly secured the release of the hostages.

In the wake of this dramatic event, nine crew members were apprehended on suspicion of drug trafficking, shedding light on the dangerous underworld of international narcotics trade.