Spanish police have uncovered a migrant trafficking ring whose members allegedly smuggled at least 200 migrants into the Spanish enclave of Melilla in Morocco.
Spanish police arrested three Moroccan nationals suspected of operating a migrant smuggling ring. The smugglers allegedly asked migrants 4,500 euros each to illegally cross into the Spanish enclave of Melilla, where they were hidden inside cars carrying women and small children so they wouldn't look suspicious.
With this system, the organization allegedly smuggled at least 200 migrants into the Spanish enclave in Morocco, with estimated profits of at least 800,000 euros.
Three arrested, organization 'dismantled'
The Guardia Civil's operation, called "Azhira", was directed and coordinated by the tribunal of Melilla. Investigators said the network introducing into Melilla illegal migrants of sub-Saharan origin has been dismantled. Overall, a total of 53 people have been arrested since the start of the investigation in January 2017, officials said. In addition, 40 vehicles allegedly used by the organization were seized.Police believe that at least 200 migrants were introduced illegally into the Spanish enclave, eluding border controls.
Migrants travelled in 'miserable conditions'
The migrants travelled in ''miserable conditions'', according to investigators, hidden under the seats of cars and vans, risking to die of asphyxiation due to the lack of space and the inhalation of engine exhaust. While members of the organization were driving, they often travelled with a woman seated beside them and small children in the back, their car seats placed over the hidden migrants. Once inside the enclave, traffickers ''abandoned'' the migrants, investigators said.During the operation, a number of sub-Saharan migrants were rescued while taking the trip and treated in hospital for severe symptoms of asphyxia. The Guardia Civil estimated that traffickers earned at least 800,000 euros from the operation.