Spanish police, with support from Europol and European partners, have dismantled a major people-smuggling network that ran speedboat crossings from Algeria to Spain and the Balearic Islands. Seventy-eight suspects were arrested and 18 high-powered "ghost" speedboats worth over €5 million were seized. Investigators say the gang carried out at least 64 crossings moving more than 2,000 migrants, charged up to €12,000 per person, and generated an estimated €24 million while also trafficking drugs and weapons.
Spanish Police Smash Major Speedboat Smuggling Network Ferrying Migrants To Ibiza
Spanish police arrested 78 people, including four who are alleged to be the leaders of the network
Spanish authorities, supported by Europol and partner forces in France, Portugal and Poland, have dismantled one of the largest people-smuggling networks operating in the western Mediterranean. Coordinated raids in Spain and Algeria resulted in the arrest of 78 suspects and the seizure of 18 high-powered "ghost" speedboats—vessels designed to avoid registration—valued at more than €5 million.
Scope of the operation
Six of the arrests took place in Ibiza and two in Palma de Majorca
Investigators say the network organised at least 64 maritime crossings from the Algerian coast to Spain and the Balearic Islands, bringing more than 2,000 migrants into Spanish territory. On return journeys, the same vessels were reportedly used to transport weapons and illicit drugs, including ecstasy, back toward North Africa.
Violence, coercion and criminal links
Police recovered weapons, drugs and phones across in their search across 17 properties
Spanish police and the Guardia Civil described the group as highly organised and "extremely violent," using firearms, threats and physical force to protect vessels and control migrants. The gang is alleged to have used intimidation and coercion against its own members, employed contract killers, and sometimes tied passengers to prevent them falling overboard during high-speed crossings.
Raids and seizures
Spanish authorities found 15,000 ecstasy tablets during the raid
Authorities searched 17 properties along Spain's eastern and southern coasts, including in Alicante, Murcia and Almería. Seized evidence included 15,000 ecstasy tablets, more than 60 kg of hashish, a .38-calibre revolver, a replica submachine gun, ammunition, satellite phones, GPS devices and encrypted communications equipment.
Europol said the network "functioned as a professional logistics provider for multiple criminal groups," arranging storage, refuelling, maritime transfers, vessel maintenance and counter-surveillance, and controlling an entire fleet of ghost speedboats commonly used by organised crime.
Financial mechanics and routes
Migrants were reportedly charged up to €12,000 per person for crossings; investigators estimate the operation generated at least €24 million in proceeds. Tracing those funds proved difficult because payments were often routed through hawala—an informal money-transfer system operating outside conventional banking channels. Police also found evidence of links with criminal groups in Marseille and the so-called "mocro maffia," a drug cartel associated with Moroccan-origin networks in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Humanitarian concerns
Police say many crossings carried up to 50 people crammed into small speedboats, rarely provided with lifejackets and often forced to endure high-speed trips in rough seas. Before departure, migrants were reportedly held in overcrowded, unsanitary makeshift accommodation along the Algerian coast.
Ongoing investigation
Six arrests were made on Ibiza and two in Palma de Majorca among the 78 total arrests across Spain and Algeria. Investigations continue as authorities pursue remaining suspects, financial trails and cross-border criminal links.
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