**Mediterranean Smuggling Network ‘Dismantled’ in Spain-Led Raid; 78 Arrested**
**Ceuta, Spain** – Spanish authorities, in collaboration with Europol and law enforcement agencies from France, Portugal, and Poland, have successfully dismantled a significant criminal network involved in migrant smuggling, drug trafficking, and weapon distribution across the Western Mediterranean. The operation, which has been ongoing since 2023, culminated in a coordinated “action day” on June 16, resulting in the arrest of 78 individuals and the seizure of various assets, including 18 high-speed boats.
The operation was spearheaded by Spain’s Civil Guard and National Police, who described the dismantled network as one of the most complex and dangerous transnational criminal organizations operating in the Mediterranean. The network was characterized by its sophisticated logistics, functioning similarly to a company that facilitated organized crime activities. It managed two-way maritime routes, transporting migrants from North Africa to Spain while also moving synthetic drugs in the opposite direction.
The arrests included 77 individuals detained in Spain and one in Algeria, with a notable presence of Algerian nationals linked to various criminal groups across Europe, including those in France, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, and Poland. Among those arrested were three high-value targets identified by authorities.
The operation involved extensive searches at 17 locations across Spain, particularly in regions such as Alicante, Almeria, Cartagena, and Murcia. This crackdown comes shortly after a significant surge of migrants crossing into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, which has drawn international attention to the ongoing migration challenges in the region.
Authorities highlighted the perilous conditions faced by migrants during their crossings, often packed into overcrowded boats traveling at high speeds through treacherous waters. Reports indicated that some passengers were tied down to prevent them from falling overboard. The network allegedly employed extreme violence against both migrants and its own members, as well as law enforcement.
Europol noted that the criminal organization had conducted at least 64 migrant-smuggling operations, successfully bringing over 2,000 individuals into Spain and generating profits exceeding €24 million (approximately $27 million). The cost for each migrant was reported to be as high as €12,000 (around $13,800), with some boats carrying up to 50 people at a time.
In addition to smuggling operations, the network provided a range of services to other criminal entities, including vessel storage, transportation, refueling, maritime transfers, and boat maintenance. Investigators also discovered that the network utilized informal hawala systems for money transfer, complicating efforts to trace illicit funds.
The dismantling of this network marks a significant achievement in the ongoing battle against organized crime in the Mediterranean region, as authorities continue to address the complex challenges posed by migrant smuggling and associated criminal activities.