Patrolling the Mediterranean Sea off the Spanish coast is a dangerous job, as documented in To Catch a Smuggler: Mediterranean. This week’s episode, “Explosive Alert,” focuses on the inherent unpredictability faced by the Spanish coastguard. With a coastline stretching over 8,000 kilometers, the task of intercepting smugglers is immense.
“Explosive Alert” offers a gritty look at the daily operations of the coastguard, highlighting the cat-and-mouse game they play with those attempting to illicitly cross the maritime border. Smugglers utilize a range of tactics, from small boats trying to blend in with fishing vessels to larger, faster crafts hoping to outrun the authorities. The episode highlights the technology and tactics employed by the coastguard, including high-speed chases, boarding operations, and the ever-present threat of violence.
The stakes are often life-or-death, not only for the coastguard but for the migrants being smuggled, who are often put in precarious situations. “Explosive Alert” aims to depict both the tactical challenges and the human cost of this ongoing struggle.
To Catch a Smuggler: Mediterranean airs Saturdays at 9/8c on National Geographic.