Spanish police stated on Aug. 7 that they had smashed a major criminal network involved in trafficking migrants, drugs, and weapons across the Western Mediterranean.
The Spanish Civil Guard described the network as one of the “largest criminal organizations specializing in maritime human trafficking in the Mediterranean” and stated that it was “believed to be responsible for at least 64 migrant-smuggling operations through which they allegedly brought more than 2,000 migrants into Spain, generating profits exceeding 24 million euros [$28 million].”
The European Union’s law enforcement agency, Europol, stated that it supported the Spanish-led investigation, noting that the network was also involved in extortion, illegal detentions, violent robberies, and money laundering.
Europol stated that those arrested were primarily of Algerian origin and had connections to organized crime in France, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, and Poland.
Europol stated that the network charged about 12,000 euros ($13,500) per person and would routinely transport about 50 migrants at a time.
Spanish police stated that the sea crossings were extremely dangerous for those on board, as the boats were overcrowded, traveled at high speed in rough seas, lacked navigation systems or lighting, and were usually without life jackets.
“On some occasions, passengers were even tied down to prevent them from falling overboard during the crossing,” the Civil Guard stated.
Europol stated that during the Aug. 7 operation, police seized a .38-caliber revolver, a replica submachine gun, ammunition, 5,000 MDMA pills, 61 kilos of hashish, 500 grams of cocaine, and a ledger used as part of the “hawala” system of covert financial transactions.
They also discovered satellite phones and dishes, encrypted communication devices, and GPS equipment.
Four of the network’s alleged leaders were among those arrested, the Civil Guard stated.
“They used extremely violent methods to protect the vessels and resist law enforcement,” the Civil Guard stated.
Ceuta Crisis
The police operation is thought to be unconnected to the recent incursion into the Spanish exclave Ceuta by about 50,000 illegal immigrants.
On April 14, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government approved a royal decree to grant illegal immigrants already living and working in Spain legal status through an accelerated process. Those who meet certain conditions can now seek a one-year residency and work permit.
After a year, those granted the temporary measure will be eligible to apply for other work or residency permits.
The government estimates that half a million people living in the shadows of Spanish society could be eligible; analysts say the figure is likely higher. Spanish think tank Funcas estimates there are roughly 840,000 illegal immigrants living in Spain.
Spanish police attend as protesters and counter-protesters face each other during a demonstration in Ceuta, Spain, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Adri Salido/Getty Images)
Spanish officials have offered a similar explanation while rejecting claims that Spain’s program granting legal status to certain illegal immigrants encouraged the surge.
Sánchez visited Ceuta on July 31 and said the Spanish government would continue to fight against the mafias that “traffic in human beings.”
Police officers and Spanish soldiers escort a large group of illegal immigrants to the border to take them out of Spain, after mass crossings of migrants on foot and by sea from Morocco into Spanish territory in Ceuta, Spain, on Aug. 1, 2026. (Jon Nazca/Reuters)
The Spanish National Police stated in a post on X that the network used one route but had two criminal enterprises.
“They transported drugs to Algeria and returned with migrants irregularly,” it stated.
In a report published on July 31, the Spanish Interior Ministry stated that 17,097 illegal immigrants had arrived in Spain by land and sea between January and July, down by 15.7 percent from 20,271 during the same period in 2025.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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