A major police operation against a criminal group involved in the illegal transportation of migrants from Algeria has concluded in Spain. The court has ordered the detention of 12 out of 14 suspects, believed to be part of a well-organized network operating in the south of the country.
According to investigators, the group used 15 inflatable boats, each 7.5 to 8 meters long and equipped with powerful engines, for the crossings. More than one million euros was spent on acquiring and outfitting these vessels. The main arrests took place in the Almería province, where police carried out eight searches at residential homes, farms, warehouses, and shipyards in Almería, Tabernas, and Níjar. Several other suspects were detained in Murcia, Alicante, and the municipality of Espartinas (Seville province).
As part of the operation, law enforcement seized 15 boats, two hulls for vessels measuring 8 and 14 meters, three additional 300-horsepower engines, two firearms, 133 canisters of gasoline, and over 68,000 euros in cash. Financial documents confirming a complex criminal funding scheme were also found.
The investigation revealed that the organization had a clear structure, with sponsors, financiers, intermediaries, logistics specialists, and individuals responsible for technical support. Companies registered in France and shadow financial channels were used to legalize income and purchase equipment. Members of the network charged up to 7,000 euros per migrant for the crossing.
Cooperation with shipyards and companies specializing in the production of high-speed boats enabled the group to quickly update its fleet and ensure regular trips between Algeria and Spain. According to police estimates, such sea crossings posed a serious threat to the lives of migrants due to overloaded vessels and unsafe conditions.
The operation involved Europol officers as well as law enforcement agencies from France and Italy. In addition to those arrested, eight more people remain under investigation on suspicion of involvement in the scheme.
The detainees have been charged with forming a criminal organization, money laundering, facilitating illegal migration, smuggling, and illegal possession of weapons. The investigation is ongoing, and it is possible that the list of suspects will expand.
