A total of 78 people were detained in an operation against a criminal network involved in drug, migrant and weapons trafficking in the western Mediterranean. Europol said 77 of those detained were in Spain and one was in Algeria.
The operation was launched by Spanish security forces in 2023 with support from law enforcement agencies in France, Poland and Portugal. Europol also contributed to coordinating the operation.
18 motorboats and smuggling equipment seized
Eighteen motorboats, including high-speed vessels, were seized during the operation. Teams also confiscated drugs, satellite phones, one handgun and more than €25,000 in cash.
The network was linked to robbery, extortion, unlawful detention and money laundering. The organization allegedly provided other criminal networks with storage, transportation, refueling, maritime transfers, boat maintenance and assistance in evading surveillance.
Smuggling route operating between Algeria and Spain
Spain's Civil Guard said the network had established a two-way smuggling route between Algeria and Spain. Under the arrangement, drugs were transported to Algeria, while the boats were filled with migrants on the return journey and sent to Spain's coastal cities.
The network allegedly smuggled more than 2,000 migrants into Spain and was held responsible for at least 64 migrant-smuggling operations.
Spanish authorities described the organization as one of the largest criminal groups specializing in maritime migrant smuggling in the Mediterranean. Four of those detained were allegedly leaders of the network.