On Tuesday, Spanish authorities reported the dismantlement of an organisation that trafficked over 200 Syrian or Algerian migrants into Spain from Algeria.
“A global criminal network that smuggled Syrian and Algerian refugees into the EU has been taken down.” It was led from Libya and Spain, and it had cells in Sudan, Liberia, and Algeria, according to authorities. a statement.
As part of this operation, fifteen persons were apprehended in southern Spain in coordination with Europol, German, and Norwegian police. Thirteen people were detained.
The investigation determined that this organization, which also engaged in drug and arms trafficking, had brought “more than 200 migrants” to Spain from Algeria “in very fast boats piloted by armed individuals “.
She asked “between 7,000 and 20,000 euros per person” for crossing the Mediterranean, said the police. This organization took care of Syrians wishing to reach Europe in their country and provided them with papers and visas to take them to Libya, via Sudan or Lebanon, then to Algeria.
Spain is one of the main entry points for illegal immigration in Europe.
The number of illegal migrants arriving on the coasts of mainland Spain and the Balearic archipelago increased by 29.22% in the first half compared to the same period last year, according to the Spanish Ministry of Interior.
