The Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional), with the support of Europol, successfully dismantled an organized crime network responsible for smuggling migrants from Algeria to Spain using fast boats. This operation has significantly disrupted the illegal movement of migrants within the EU.
On June 4 and 5, 2024, police conducted searches at nine locations, resulting in 21 arrests. Thirteen suspects were apprehended in Madrid, five in Almeria, and one each in Guipuzcoa, Málaga, and Murcia. Authorities also seized important documents, electronic equipment, and cash during the raids.
Investigations revealed that migrants, mostly Syrian and Algerian nationals, paid up to EUR 20,000 to reach the EU. The network is believed to have smuggled at least 1,000 migrants, with over 750 being Syrian nationals and more than 250 Algerians. The smugglers facilitated the illegal crossings from Lebanon to Egypt, then Tunisia or Libya, and finally to Algeria. In Algeria, the migrants were placed in temporary accommodations while waiting to be transported by fast boats to Spain.
Once in Spain, the migrants’ journey continued with the help of the network’s members. Two main organizers were identified, one based in Algeria and the other in Spain, who coordinated the activities. The network also provided passports and plane tickets for further travel within the EU. Additionally, they sold information on organizing such smuggling activities to other groups.
The network’s operations were extremely hazardous, as migrants were transported in overcrowded vessels lacking safety equipment, food, and water, and filled with fuel canisters. Upon reaching the Spanish coast, migrants were picked up and transported to unsanitary and overcrowded housing in Madrid while awaiting further travel. The migrants had to pay at each stage of their journey through the hawala underground financial system, with the network using spy cameras and hidden microphones to ensure payment.
Europol played a crucial role in this operation by facilitating the exchange of information and providing operational coordination and analytical support. On the action day, Europol deployed an analyst to Spain to cross-check operational information against Europol’s databases and provide leads to investigators.