Europol has helped Spain's Guardia Civil to dismantle a criminal network smuggling migrants by boats from Algeria to Spain and then onwards to other EU countries, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation announced on Wednesday.
A criminal network that took undocumented migrants from Algeria to Spain to then transfer them onwards to other European countries has been dismantled in an Europol-backed operation by Spain's Guardia Civil in collaboration with the police of other countries. The announcement was made in a Wednesday (August 27) press release posted on the Europol website.
The investigation led to the arrest of 14 people, while eight others are under investigation in the provinces of Almeria, Murcia, Seville, and Alicante. A total of 15 dinghies with high-cylinder engines have been seized, Spain's Guardia Civil Guard said in a statement. Migrants reportedly paid 7,000 euros each for the crossing.
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Charged with aiding and abetting clandestine immigration
Those arrested have been accused of aiding and abetting clandestine immigration, money laundering, smuggling, and illegal weapons possession. The operation began in 2024, when Spanish investigators discovered suspicious fuel stockpiling and the purchase of high-speed boats used by the organisation to transfer the migrants from Algeria to Spain.
"The criminal organization is believed to have spent more than EUR 1 million on acquiring and manufacturing high-speed boats to support its operations. A complex web of companies in France and Spain was used to arrange the logistics and supply of nautical equipment. Migrants were charged up to EUR 7,000 each for a dangerous one-way journey from Algeria to Spain on the often-overcrowded self-made boats," the Europol statement noted.
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Highly structured network
"The migrant smuggling network was highly structured, with separate branches responsible for different tasks and members playing distinct roles, including investors, intermediaries connecting the various cells, skippers and those preparing the boats," the Europol press release noted.
"The network was composed of several cells," it continued.
"One cell was responsible for acquiring and managing vessels and maritime equipment, while another coordinated the navigation of boats towards landing spots along the Spanish coast. Other branches provided essential resources for the smuggling operations, including fuel, food, and communication systems, or handled security tasks during crossings."
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Financial resources included France-based shell companies
"Europol facilitated the exchange of information and provided operational coordination and analytical support. Europol deployed an expert to Spain to facilitate the real-time exchange of information and cross-check operational information against Europol's databases, providing immediate leads to investigators in the field," it added.
The criminal network was able to rely on significant logistics and financial resources through shell businesses and money brokers in France. Among the material seized in addition to the vessels were sailing and electronic equipment, about a hundred fuel tanks, two firearms, and almost 70,000 euros in cash.