The Policia Nacional, with support from EUROPOL and the US Homeland Security Investigations, has dismantled an international criminal organisation involved in illegal immigration and document fraud.
A total of 77 individuals were arrested across several Spanish provinces, including Barcelona, Madrid, Zaragoza, and Valencia. Among the detained are six key leaders of the organisation, who have been placed in custody.
Extensive police operation
The investigation, which began in 2022, involved over 200 officers conducting more than 10 raids in homes and travel agencies across Spain. Authorities seized over €500,000 in cash, along with passports and other critical documents. The network was primarily based in Spain and Italy, with collaborators in Libya, Bolivia, and Mexico.
Origins of the investigation
The investigation was triggered by a significant increase in illegal immigration flows from India, using Spain as a transit point to Mexico, with the ultimate goal of reaching the United States or Canada. This led to the discovery of a highly organised criminal network facilitating illegal immigration.
Human smuggling operations
Indian and Pakistani migrants
One branch of the organisation specialised in smuggling Indian and Pakistani nationals. These migrants were recruited in their home countries and flown to Bahrain, then Egypt, before reaching Libya. From Libya, they were packed into boats with over 130 people and sent to the Italian island of Lampedusa under harsh conditions. Once in Italy, they were moved to Turin and later flown to Spain using forged passports. In Spain, travel agencies run by the organisation’s leaders arranged for their onward journey to Mexico, where they were handed over to “coyotes” for illegal entry into the United States.
Bolivian migrants
Another branch focused on smuggling Bolivian nationals. This network operated through a pyramid structure with collaborators in Spain, Bolivia, Turkey, and Egypt. Migrants were recruited in Bolivia and flown to Istanbul or Cairo. They were then provided with forged Spanish passports to enter Spain, where they passed through border controls pretending to be naturalised citizens.
Ongoing investigation
The investigation remains open, with ongoing efforts to trace further connections and individuals involved in the network.
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