It ranks among the most impressive tall ships in the world and the Spanish navy calls it “our most emblematic and symbolic vessel” but the Juan Sebastián Elcano, which visited Dublin in June, has also become an unwitting tool for drug trafficking.

Spain’s guardia civil found 127kg (280lbs) of cocaine on board the training ship – stashed in a storeroom where reserve sails are kept, El País reported yesterday.

The find came three weeks after three crew members were arrested at a port in Galicia, for allegedly selling up to 20kg (44lbs) of cocaine while the ship called into a New York port. Authorities suspect the drugs were brought on board after a stop in Colombia.

At the time of the arrests, no drugs were found. When the ship docked at a port in Cadiz, ending a six-month journey, authorities carried out an extensive search.

The investigation remains open, said authorities, as it has yet to be determined whether this was the first time the boat was used to traffic drugs and whether other crew members or trainees were involved. During the investigation, the ship played host to several high- ranking dignitaries, including officials from Spain’s ministry of defence and 69 Spanish navy trainees.

– (Guardian service)