Lorraine Williamson
Four people have been arrested in Ceuta in two separate investigations into the alleged exploitation of vulnerable migrants through overcrowded or unsuitable accommodation.
In one operation, Policía Nacional arrested two people over an alleged criminal organisation that charged migrants as much as €900 a month to sleep in garages, storage rooms and other unsuitable spaces. A separate Guardia Civil investigation resulted in two further arrests after 25 migrants, including six minors, were reportedly found living in severely overcrowded conditions in a flat.
The investigation began after migrants were repeatedly seen in the communal areas of a garage close to Ceuta’s El Príncipe neighbourhood.
Residents had raised concerns about people sleeping on the floor in spaces intended for parked vehicles and without adequate living conditions. Police say that at certain times around 20 people may have been using the facilities to sleep.
Up to €900 a month for somewhere to sleep
According to statements gathered by investigators, some migrants were allegedly being charged around €30 a day, taking the cost of sleeping in the makeshift accommodation to as much as €900 a month.
The spaces included parking bays, storage rooms and other areas that police say were not suitable for people to live in.
Moreover, the alleged charges did not stop with accommodation.
Investigators say access to basic items such as mattresses and blankets could depend on migrants first paying the full amount demanded from them. A complete charge of a mobile phone allegedly cost between €5 and €10.
For people recently arrived in Ceuta, keeping a phone charged can be particularly important for staying in contact with family, accessing information and communicating with support organisations.
Up to €6,000 allegedly demanded for journey to mainland Spain
The investigation goes beyond allegations of profiteering from accommodation.
Policía Nacional says the organisation also allegedly offered migrants irregular transport from Ceuta to mainland Spain for sums reaching €6,000.
Investigators believe different people within the organisation had specific roles. Some allegedly identified and recruited newly arrived migrants, while others handled payments, transported people to accommodation and controlled those staying there.
Police believe this division of responsibilities created a network of intermediaries around those allegedly occupying more senior positions within the organisation.
Migrants describe threats and intimidation
Testimony from some of the migrants has become an important part of the investigation. Police say people located during the operation described being instructed to hide and avoid contact with officers while waiting for the possibility of travelling to mainland Spain.
Investigators also received accounts of death threats and coercion allegedly intended to enforce silence and prevent migrants giving evidence against those responsible.
Some of those found during the operation initially reacted fearfully when officers arrived. Several later chose to cooperate voluntarily with investigators and were taken to police premises to give statements.
Those accounts helped officers reconstruct how the alleged network operated and the different roles of the people involved.
Two people have now been arrested in Ceuta as suspected participants in the organisation. The investigation has involved coordination between police units on the Andalucian coast and at national level, working with prosecutors specialising in the fight against migrant smuggling.
Two more arrested after 25 migrants found in overcrowded flat
Two more people were arrested in a separate Guardia Civil investigation in Ceuta, bringing the number of arrests across the two operations to four. The case has raised further concerns about people allegedly profiting from migrants living in precarious circumstances in the city.
A man and woman who owned a property in Calle Real were arrested after 25 migrants, including six minors, were reportedly found living there in severely overcrowded and insanitary conditions. Authorities said as many as five people were living in the kitchen.
The owners allegedly charged each person between €200 and €300 a month. They are being investigated over an alleged offence against the rights of foreign citizens.
The two investigations highlight another consequence of the continuing pressure in Ceuta: people who arrived with little money, accommodation or support can become particularly vulnerable to exploitation while they wait for their situation to be resolved.
Policía Nacional is asking anyone with confidential information about human trafficking or migrant smuggling to contact officers through its dedicated channels.