Spanish police have broken up a drugs ring involving specially built speedboats.

The illegal operation was run by Abdellah El Haj, a Moroccan citizen dubbed the "Messi of hashish", AFP reported.

It cited a spokesman for Spain's Guardia Civil force as saying police seized five boats, 17 vehicles, several weapons and more than €500,000 ($551,000).

A shipyard that was building the speed boats was dismantled.

The boats carried the drugs out of Morocco, the report said.

The operation began in February after Gibraltar police found a boat that was close to sinking with three crew and 84 packages of hashish.

About 45 people have been arrested in connection with the case and warrants issued for 16 more, including El Haj.

He was held in Algeciras in 2017, but released on bail last year.

El Haj received his nickname because he regularly posts photos on social media wearing a Lionel Messi shirt.