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Spanish authorities, working with Europol and police from France, Portugal and Poland, dismantled one of the Mediterranean's largest migrant smuggling networks, arresting 78 people in Spain and Algeria and seizing 18 high-speed vessels valued at over €5 million.

Spanish authorities, working with Europol and police from France, Portugal and Poland, dismantled one of the Mediterranean's largest migrant smuggling networks, arresting 78 people in Spain and Algeria and seizing 18 high-speed vessels valued at over €5 million.

The network is believed to have conducted at least 64 smuggling operations, bringing more than 2,000 migrants into Spain and generating profits exceeding €24 million. It charged up to €12,000 per person and transported as many as 50 migrants per crossing.

The network is believed to have conducted at least 64 smuggling operations, bringing more than 2,000 migrants into Spain and generating profits exceeding €24 million. It charged up to €12,000 per person and transported as many as 50 migrants per crossing.

The network operated a dual-flow smuggling route, transporting synthetic drugs such as MDMA and firearms from Spain and Portugal to Algeria on outbound trips, while returning with migrants bound for Spain's southeastern coast and the island of Ibiza.

The network operated a dual-flow smuggling route, transporting synthetic drugs such as MDMA and firearms from Spain and Portugal to Algeria on outbound trips, while returning with migrants bound for Spain's southeastern coast and the island of Ibiza.

Migrants were transported in overcrowded, high-speed boats without lights or life jackets, often in rough seas. Authorities say that on some occasions passengers were tied down to prevent them from falling overboard.

Channel 4 News

Migrants were transported in overcrowded, high-speed boats without lights or life jackets, often in rough seas. Authorities say that on some occasions passengers were tied down to prevent them from falling overboard.

The network, whose suspects were primarily of Algerian origin, had ties to criminal groups across Europe, including the "Mocro Mafia" and the "Marseille Milieu." Seizures included MDMA pills, hashish, cocaine, firearms, encrypted communication tools and a hawala financial ledger.

The network, whose suspects were primarily of Algerian origin, had ties to criminal groups across Europe, including the "Mocro Mafia" and the "Marseille Milieu." Seizures included MDMA pills, hashish, cocaine, firearms, encrypted communication tools and a hawala financial ledger.

The dismantling followed a broader spike in migration pressure on Spain. While irregular sea arrivals to the Canary Islands fell, migration via the western Mediterranean route from Algeria rose, and a mass border surge at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta saw tens of thousands enter the territory.

Mario Nawfal

The dismantling followed a broader spike in migration pressure on Spain. While irregular sea arrivals to the Canary Islands fell, migration via the western Mediterranean route from Algeria rose, and a mass border surge at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta saw tens of thousands enter the territory.

Spain Dismantles Mediterranean Human Smuggling Network

Spain Dismantles Mediterranean Human Smuggling Network

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Spain Dismantles Mediterranean Human Smuggling Network

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