Spanish Police Bust Major Migrant and Drug Trafficking

This operation reveals the harsh reality behind these desperate journeys, where human lives and narcotics are trafficked as if they were equal cargo.

Rabat – Spanish police, in cooperation with Europol, announced the successful dismantling of a criminal network operating between Morocco and Spain. The group was involved in trafficking at least 200 Moroccan migrants as well as significant quantities of drugs, including hashish and hallucinogenic pills.

According to Spanish media reports, the traffickers used fiberglass boats, frequently piloted by minors, to transport both migrants and narcotics across the Strait of Gibraltar. These operations are known as “mixed cargo,” referring to the simultaneous smuggling of people and drugs.

The criminal network was primarily based in the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Algeciras (Cádiz). Migrants were offered a comprehensive “package” that included transportation, accommodation, and other logistical support.

The fees charged for these services could reach as high as € 14,600 (MAD 160,600) per person. Authorities estimate that the human trafficking activities alone generated profits exceeding € 2.5 million (MAD 27.5 million).

The police operation led to the arrest of eight suspects, including one minor. During the raids, law enforcement seized 22 kilograms of hashish and 10,800 clonazepam pills, commonly used in the manufacture of hallucinogenic substances. One of the main searches took place in Ceuta’s El Príncipe neighborhood, an area known for high criminal activity.

Investigations revealed that migrants were temporarily housed in the Moroccan town of Fnideq before being transported by sea to Ceuta. The journeys were carried out on poorly maintained boats or, in some cases, migrants crossed swimming while using jet skis for assistance. Until full payment was received, the migrants were kept in what were described as “secure apartments.”

The boats used in these operations were heavily overloaded and lacked any safety measures, making the trips extremely dangerous for all involved.

Control of the network was centered around two main figures: one residing in Ibiza and the other in Ceuta. These leaders oversaw both the financial management and strategic planning of the trafficking operations. Both, along with a third suspect, have been placed under provisional detention pending further investigation.