# Customs Operation ZAFIRO: Authorities Seize Eleven Small Aircraft **Category:** Regulation | **Source:** Frachtportal Redaktion | **Published:** 2026-09-10 | **Updated:** 2026-09-12 **Tags:** ZAFIRO, COLIBRI, Operation ZAFIRO, Weltzollorganisastion, WZO, Zollkontrolle, Kleinflugzeuge, Privatflugzeuge, Drogenschmuggel, Luftfracht, Lateinamkerika, Westafrika, Logistik News, Transport News, Fracht News, Speditions News, Supply Chain News, Zoll News, Frachtportal News, Seefracht, Digitalisierung, Zoll > 19 countries conducted inspections of small and private aircraft. During the operations, eleven aircraft were seized and approximately 1.2 tons of drugs were confiscated. --- Small and private aircraft often operate below the radar in logistics. This is precisely where smugglers strike. The international customs operation ZAFIRO clearly demonstrates how such aircraft are used for criminal transport. Customs, police, drug enforcement, aviation authorities, and military agencies from 19 countries participated in the operation. Controls were conducted over a 16-day period. A total of 1,431 inspections were carried out in what is known as General Aviation. This refers to private and commercial flights outside regular scheduled air services. The results are substantial: Authorities reported 15 seizures. These included four drug discoveries totaling approximately 1.2 tonnes of narcotics, as well as eleven small aircraft. All eleven aircraft were seized in the Bolivian Departamento Beni during operations against drug smugglers. Additionally, cash was confiscated, arrests were made, and several hangars were closed. Larger discoveries were made in Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. Authorities in Paraguay discovered 262 kilograms of cannabis on a private jet. The aircraft had come from the USA and had made a stopover in Panama. In Brazil, 490 kilograms of cocaine were found near a clandestine landing strip. An aircraft stationed there showed structural modifications according to the World Customs Organization. In Argentina, two cases were linked to networks using small aircraft, involving a combined total of more than 500 kilograms of cocaine. However, the operation was not limited to drugs. In Ivory Coast, customs officers discovered 16 unregistered artworks on a flight to Lagos. In Senegal, inspectors found aircraft that had remained in the country much longer than their temporary import permits allowed. The operation was coordinated from three locations in Lisbon, Abidjan, and Buenos Aires. Suspicious flights could thus be checked during flight and reported to the destination country. Europe was also monitored, as several detected flight routes led from the Gulf of Guinea and South America toward Europe. --- This case has only a marginal connection to classical scheduled air freight. Nevertheless, it is important for freight forwarders, customs agents, and shippers. Criminal supply chains do not only use containers, trucks, or large cargo aircraft. Charter flights and smaller aircraft warrant closer scrutiny. Who operates the aircraft? Who owns it? Do the route, cargo, stopovers, and customs documents align? Especially with short-notice changes or remote airports, dispatch should ask questions. For reputable operators, stricter controls can result in longer ground times and more inquiries. Clean flight and freight documentation helps avoid unnecessary delays. It is also important that handlers and customs agents report conspicuous discrepancies early and do not simply wave through shipments when route and documents do not match. In short: Small aircraft are also part of international supply chains. Where little control exists, smugglers attempt to exploit precisely these gaps. --- ZAFIRO was the third international operation of the COLIBRI project. It was the largest operation within this project to date. Authorities from 19 partner countries participated. During 16 days, 1,431 inspections were conducted. In total, the WCO recorded 1,938 operational events. The authorities reported 15 seizures. Four drug seizures totaled approximately 1.2 tonnes. Eleven small aircraft were seized in the Beni Department of Bolivia. The operation identified 86 clandestine airstrips. The European Union finances the COLIBRI project. ## Related Entities ### Countries - [Brazil](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/br) - [Argentina](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ar) - [Bolivia](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/bo) - [Paraguay](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/py) - [Panama](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/pa) - [Côte d'Ivoire](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ci) - [Nigeria](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ng) - [Senegal](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/sn) ### Glossary - [Import](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/import) - [Goods](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/goods) - [Customs duty](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/customs-duty) - [Customs control](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/customs-control) - [Customs inspection](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/customs-inspection) - [Customs control process](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/customs-control-process) - [Aircraft](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/aircraft) - [Airway](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/airway) - [Anti-Smuggling Control Logistics](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/anti-smuggling-control-logistics) - [WCO (World Customs Organization)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/wco-world-customs-organization) - [Seizure](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/seizure) - [Customs compliance](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/customs-compliance-3) - [World Customs Organization](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/world-customs-organization) - [airfield](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/airfield) --- *Canonical URL: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/zollaktion-zafiro-behoerden-beschlagnahmen-elf-kleinflugzeuge-20260908160705](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/zollaktion-zafiro-behoerden-beschlagnahmen-elf-kleinflugzeuge-20260908160705)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/zollaktion-zafiro-behoerden-beschlagnahmen-elf-kleinflugzeuge-20260908160705](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/zollaktion-zafiro-behoerden-beschlagnahmen-elf-kleinflugzeuge-20260908160705)*