Police in Spain eliminated a human trafficking gang

Police in Spain eliminated a human trafficking gang.

Consensus

The Spanish police dismantled a transnational criminal organization involved in human trafficking, drug smuggling, and weapons trafficking.
The operation involved cooperation between Spanish police and Europol, as well as law enforcement agencies from France, Portugal, and Poland.
The criminal network operated across the Western Mediterranean, transporting migrants from Africa to Spain and drugs from Spain to Algeria.
Over 2,000 migrants were smuggled into Spain by the network.
The group conducted at least 64 smuggling operations.
The network earned at least €24 million from its activities.
Seventy-eight people were arrested during the operation.
Eighteen high-speed boats were seized, valued at over €5 million.
Weapons, narcotics, and encrypted communication devices were confiscated.
The operation began in 2023.

The criminal organization was of Algerian origin and had bases in Italy, in addition to Spain, France, Portugal, and Poland. — tg_dwglavnoe
The group used boats capable of reaching speeds up to 100 km/h, referred to as 'Mediterranean Ferraris'. — tg_dwglavnoe
The internal discipline of the group was maintained through intimidation, threats, coercion, and extreme physical violence, including against migrants. — tg_dwglavnoe
The group had a 'banker' who conducted financial transactions via the traditional 'hawala' system to bypass formal financial institutions. — tg_dwglavnoe
The group used satellite phones and encrypted communication devices. — kommersant
Each migrant paid €12,000 to the smugglers. — kommersant
The group had connections with criminal organizations in Belgium in addition to France, Portugal, and Poland. — kommersant
The drugs transported included 7 kg of ecstasy tablets and 61 kg of hashish. — kommersant
The group's operations included the delivery of synthetic drugs from Spain to Algeria. — kommersant