According to law enforcement data, the criminal network used these vessels to transport synthetic drugs, such as ecstasy, from Spain to Algeria, and on the return trip – to illegally smuggle migrants to the Spanish Mediterranean coast and the island of Ibiza.
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Investigators believe that this group carried out at least 64 migrant transport operations. More than 2,000 people arrived in Spain during these operations, and the criminals earned more than 24 million euros.
The police emphasized that the sea journeys were “extremely dangerous.” Migrants traveled “crowded, at high speed, and through stormy seas.”
“In some cases, passengers were even tied up to prevent them from falling into the water during the journey,” the statement said.
The network charged up to 12,000 euros per person for smuggling. According to the police, up to 50 migrants were sometimes transported in one trip.
Among those detained are four suspected leaders of the organization. Authorities also seized 18 high-speed boats valued at over 5 million euros.
This operation was carried out in cooperation with the European Union (EU) law enforcement agency Europol and the police forces of France, Portugal, and Poland.
The majority of illegal sea migration to Spain occurs via the Atlantic Ocean route from West Africa to the Canary Islands. This is one of the main entry points into Europe.
Although the number of arrivals to the Canary Islands has decreased in recent months, illegal migration flows along the western Mediterranean route from Algeria to Spain have increased.
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