Officers of the Guardia Civil conducted a large-scale operation to dismantle a criminal group involved in the illegal transport of migrants from Morocco to Melilla. Eleven people were detained on suspicion of organizing dangerous sea routes for illegal border crossings.
How the criminal network operated
The investigation began in April 2025, when law enforcement recorded several individuals purchasing motorboats and jet skis. These vessels were intended to transport people across the sea during the summer, when the flow of migrants traditionally increases.
During May, June, and July, the suspects organized several crossings between the Moroccan city of Nador and the Spanish enclave of Melilla. According to the investigation, the group received substantial profits for each trip — with total earnings estimated at around 200,000 euros.
Dangerous routes and life-threatening risks
Migrants were picked up near the Moroccan coast and transported to Spanish territory on high-speed boats and jet skis. These crossings entailed serious risks: overloaded vessels, lack of life-saving equipment, and adverse weather conditions all put lives in jeopardy.
The organizers disregarded passenger safety, focusing solely on maximizing their profits. Many who took this route faced the risk of drowning or sustaining injuries.
Cooperation with Moroccan authorities
A key element in the investigation was the close coordination between Spanish and Moroccan law enforcement agencies. Through information sharing and joint operations, authorities were able to detain not only the operatives but also the leaders of the criminal network.
Significant efforts were made to assist affected migrants and arrest the boat captains directly involved in the transports. Via the Police Cooperation Center in Tánger, both sides exchanged real-time intelligence, which enabled a swift response to new attempts at illegal border crossings.
Operation concluded with charges filed
The final phase of the operation took place in Melilla, where 11 individuals were apprehended on charges of participating in a criminal organization, violating foreigners’ rights, and document forgery. All suspects appeared in court, with the case overseen by the city’s third investigative court.
This operation forms part of a strategic plan to combat illegal migration and disrupt transnational criminal groups. Authorities emphasize that such actions aim to protect lives and enhance security along the country’s maritime borders.
