The Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional), supported by Europol, dismantled an organised crime network smuggling migrants with fast boats from Algeria to Spain. The suspects facilitated the further illegal movement of the migrants from Spain to other EU countries.

Migrants paid up to EUR 20 000 to reach the EU

Investigations revealed that the criminal network smuggled at least 1 000 migrants (more than 750 Syrian nationals and over 250 Algerians). The network facilitated the illegal crossings of Syrian nationals along the route Lebanon – Egypt – Tunisia or Libya – Algeria. Upon arrival in Algeria, the migrants were placed in temporary accommodation while awaiting the launch of the boats. The suspects then organised the transport of the migrants with fast boats from Algeria to the Spanish coast. Once in Spain, members of the Algerian criminal cell facilitated the stay of the migrants and their further illegal movement towards other EU countries.

Investigators identified two main organisers, one based in Algeria and one in Spain, who coordinated the criminal activities. The criminal network is believed to have had the capacity not only to transport the migrants to Spain but also to supply them with passports and plane tickets for their secondary movements towards other EU countries. In addition to smuggling activities, the criminal network also sold information to other groups on how to organise this type of criminal activity.

Over 1 000 migrants on speed boats next to fuel cans

The criminal cell based in Madrid was responsible for organising the criminal activity in coordination with the criminal group based in Oran (Algeria). The latter orchestrated the launch of the fast boats with migrants, departing from the Algerian coasts of Oran and Mostaganem towards Spain. These sea crossings were extremely dangerous – migrants' lives were put at risk in overcrowded vessels that lacked safety equipment as well as food and water supplies and were loaded with fuel canisters. Upon arrival at the Spanish coast, the migrants were picked up by members of the criminal network based in the region. They were then transported to Madrid and placed in unsanitary and overcrowded housing while awaiting onward transport out of Spain. The migrants were charged up to EUR 20 000 for the full facilitation of their passage to the country of final destination. They were obliged to pay at every stage of the smuggling via the hawala underground financial system. Investigators learned that the criminal network used spy cameras and hidden microphones to guarantee the collection of money.

Europol facilitated the exchange of information and provided operational coordination and analytical support. On the action day, Europol deployed an analyst to Spain to cross-check operational information against Europol’s databases and provide leads to investigators in the field.