Spain dismantles major Mediterranean human smuggling network

Key facts

• Spanish police dismantled a large transnational criminal network in the Mediterranean.
• The network is believed to have smuggled over 2,000 migrants into Spain.
• The group also used high-speed boats to transport synthetic drugs from Spain to Algeria.
• Authorities seized 18 high-speed vessels and arrested 77 people in Spain and one in Algeria.
• The network generated profits of €24 million ($27 million) and charged up to €12,000 per migrant.

Spanish police have dismantled what they described as one of the largest people-smuggling networks operating in the Mediterranean, believed to have brought more than 2,000 migrants into the country. The Civil Guard and National Police stated that the operation successfully dismantled one of the most complex, active, and dangerous transnational criminal networks detected to date in the Mediterranean.

The network used high-speed boats to transport synthetic drugs from Spain to Algeria for distribution across North Africa. On return journeys, it smuggled migrants to Spain's southeastern coast and the island of Ibiza. Police believe the group, which used extreme violence, carried out at least 64 smuggling operations and generated profits of €24 million ($27 million).

While irregular migrant arrivals to Spain by sea fell 31% in January-July, this was largely due to a 60% drop in arrivals to the Canary Islands. In contrast, irregular migration to mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands rose 22% and 10%, respectively, over the same period, as smugglers shifted routes via Algeria.

The investigation, conducted with Europol and police in France, Portugal, and Poland, resulted in the seizure of 18 high-speed vessels and the arrest of 77 people in Spain and one in Algeria. The network charged up to €12,000 per migrant and transported as many as 50 people on a single crossing. The Civil Guard noted the extreme danger of the crossings, with migrants often traveling in overcrowded boats at high speed, without lights or life jackets, and sometimes tied down to prevent them from falling overboard.