Spanish Police Dismantle One of the Largest Human Smuggling Networks Across the Mediterranean

Spanish police announced on Friday the dismantling of one of the largest criminal networks specializing in smuggling migrants across the Mediterranean Sea, following the arrest of 78 individuals and the seizure of 18 speedboats used in smuggling operations.

In a statement, the police explained that the network exploited speedboats to transport manufactured drugs, including "Ecstasy," from Spain to Algeria, before using them on return trips to smuggle migrants to the Spanish Mediterranean coast and the island of Ibiza.

According to investigations, the network was behind at least 64 smuggling operations, during which more than 2,000 migrants were transported to Spain, generating revenues of approximately $28 million.

Police confirmed that the smuggling trips were conducted under highly dangerous conditions, with migrants crammed into speedboats amidst rough seas, while some were tied up inside the boats to prevent them from falling overboard during the journey.

The network charged up to $14,000 per person for smuggling, with some boats carrying around 50 migrants per trip.

Authorities suspect that four of those arrested are leading the network, and have seized 18 speedboats valued at more than $6 million.

The operation was carried out in cooperation with the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and police forces in France, Portugal, and Poland.

Although the number of migrants arriving in the Canary Islands has declined in recent months, police noted an increase in irregular migration activity through the Western Mediterranean route between Algeria and Spain.