Spanish and Algerian authorities have arrested 78 suspects in a major operation targeting a criminal network accused of smuggling drugs, weapons and migrants across the Western Mediterranean, Europol said on Friday.
The Spain-led operation, supported by authorities in France, Portugal and Poland, targeted a network that Europol described as operating like a logistics company for other organised crime groups.
The operation resulted in searches at 17 locations in Spain, including Alicante, Almeria, Cartagena and Murcia. Three high-value targets were among those arrested in Spain and Algeria, Europol said.
Network offered criminal services
Investigators said the network provided a range of services to criminal organisations, including vessel storage, transportation, refuelling, maritime transfers, boat maintenance and counter-surveillance.
The group was mainly made up of Algerian nationals and had links to criminal organisations in France, Belgium, Portugal, Italy and Poland, according to Europol. Authorities said the network controlled a fleet of high-powered vessels, including so-called “ghost speedboats”, which are banned in Spain because of their size and engine capacity. Investigators allege the boats were used to transfer drugs, weapons and migrants in international waters near the Spanish coast.
The method allowed shipments and people to be moved quickly to shore while reducing the chances of detection.
Migrant smuggling generated millions
Europol said the organisation had evolved from a drug-trafficking operation into a broader criminal enterprise focused on maximising profits.
On routes from Algeria to Spain, the network allegedly smuggled migrants and charged as much as 12,000 euros (USD13,831) per person. Europol estimated that migrant smuggling alone generated more than 24 million euros (USD27 million) in profits.
Migrants were reportedly transported in dangerous conditions, including overcrowded boats without adequate lighting or life jackets. Some journeys took place during severe weather, increasing the risk of accidents and loss of life.
Violence and hidden finances
Investigators also accused the group of using violence to maintain control over its members and migrants, including firearms, threats and contract killings. Financial transactions were allegedly conducted through the informal hawala system, a network of money transfers that can operate outside conventional banking channels and make illicit funds harder to trace.
The arrests represent a major operation against a criminal network exploiting maritime routes between North Africa and Europe. Europol said cooperation between the participating countries was crucial to disrupting the organisation’s operations across borders.
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