Spanish Army intelligence has identified 72 Moroccan military personnel, 22 intelligence agents and 50 active soldiers, basic to the recent organized incursions and unrest in Ceuta. The findings come from classified reports reviewed by EL ESPAÑOL. The documents describe a covert network operating inside the city with clear intent and discipline.
The reports call these Moroccan operatives “centers of gravity.” They control the money, direct the settlements and manage the flow of people. About fifty photographs show the soldiers living quietly in private apartments, working out in groups and receiving regular payments from across the border. They blend in, but they are not ordinary residents.
Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had maintained nearly daily contact with Morocco's Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in recent weeks to prevent a new mass entry into Ceuta.
Surveillance teams describe the infiltrators as constantly alert and bound by strict routines. Most are between 30 and 45 years old. Their fit, strong physiques match the profile of Moroccan state forces. They have no criminal tattoos, wear plain, neutral clothes and avoid attention.
The 22 intelligence agents direct the operation. They look for weak spots in Ceuta’s defenses, test how Spanish forces respond and send instructions to the 50 soldiers. Their stated goal is to spread fear and instability among Ceuta’s residents.
One Spanish military official told EL ESPAÑOL there is no strict chain of command. Orders move through informal channels: intelligence agents pass instructions to soldiers, who then work with select groups, often criminal elements who crossed the border, to carry out specific tasks. This loose structure makes the network hard to break.
Spanish authorities have publicly said cooperation with Morocco has intensified, with both countries reinforcing border controls in areas such as Fnideq/Castillejos and the Bab Sebta crossing. Independent reports say Spanish intelligence warned of a likely mass crossing on July 29. Moroccan security services reportedly received information about the impending crisis approximately 17 hours before it began.
Money and supplies keep the operation running. Reports describe people crossing the border with briefcases, making quick stops in Ceuta and returning to Morocco. Food and essentials arrive every day, sometimes more than 30 loaves of bread, along with eggs, chicken and drinks. No one pays; the network takes care of its own.
The classified files link the group to several incidents: attacks on Spanish military personnel, arson in the hills and organized takeovers of crowded apartments. The mafias running narco-boats to the mainland have also stepped up their activity. They now move up to 20 people per trip with new gear.
Spanish Army investigators have gathered up to 50 photos of the 72 Moroccan soldiers. Seven reservists even turned themselves in to the National Police. The first suspicions surfaced on July 30. That day, at least 80,000 people crossed illegally from Morocco into Ceuta. CENIF agents from the National Police were the first to spot Moroccan security forces among the migrants. They described them as “police and security personnel” who directed and energized the crossings.
The reports say these Moroccan operatives never left Spain after the first wave. They stayed in Ceuta, keeping a low profile and watching Spanish military movements. Surveillance teams saw them tailing Spanish soldiers, filming maneuvers and studying patrols. One military source said this was just the tip of the iceberg.
Patterns in the migrant waves provided further clues. On day one, young men aged 15 to 25 crossed with wetsuits and flotation devices. Day two brought older people, families and children in sportswear and sandals, without special gear. By day three, young men with swimming equipment were crossing again. The Moroccan military operatives stood out: they were older, fit and disciplined, and their routines and appearance set them apart from the rest.
Investigative journalist and honorary legionnaire Miguel Temprano, working with EL ESPAÑOL, confirmed these findings. He observed and photographed suspected infiltrators during their daily routines. The CENIF report notes that their plain shirts and muted polos looked nothing like the clothes worn by other migrants.
The Spanish Army is still watching. The reports say the Moroccan military network’s basic aim is to “order and generate chaos in Ceuta.” The operation is large and well-organized. One senior Spanish officer voiced frustration at the lack of a real response: “There is a clear trend. In 2021, there was a test to see what would happen if a large group invaded Ceuta. Nothing happened. Now we have this, and again, nothing has happened. What will it be like next time? Is anything being done to prevent it? The answer is no.”
This episode shows how exposed Ceuta’s security is. The tactics keep changing, leaving Spanish authorities to consider whether they can adapt to a threat that is organized and deeply rooted, or whether Ceuta will remain open to further chaos from across the border.
