Spain dismantles two migrant smuggling rings from Ceuta

Spanish police have dismantled two criminal networks accused of smuggling migrants from Ceuta to mainland Spain, arresting five people. The gangs charged up to 9,000 euros per person for the dangerous crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar in small boats Source: La Vanguardia.

The operations

In one operation, four people were arrested—two in Ceuta and two in La Línea de la Concepción (Cádiz)—on charges of criminal organization and facilitating illegal immigration. The network used intermediaries to recruit migrants who had arrived during the mass crossing of July 30, hiding them in homes and garages until departure. They transported boats from the Andalusian coast to Ceuta, then ferried migrants back, with pilots selected for their ability to evade police controls Source: ABC.

The second investigation led to the arrest of a man, later sent to provisional prison, for his role in a voyage on August 14. Seven migrants were intercepted at El Burgo beach in La Línea after spending about five hours at sea, having traveled roughly 40 kilometers from Ceuta in a boat just five meters long and two meters wide, without life jackets or other safety equipment Source: infobae.

The cost and profit

A witness stated the organizer charged 8,000 euros per person, yielding an estimated 56,000 euros for a single trip with seven passengers Source: El Confidencial. Reports vary on the exact fee: some sources cite up to 9,000 euros per person Source: La Vanguardia, while others mention 8,000 euros for the August 14 trip Source: El Español.

Context

The dismantling comes amid a migration crisis in Ceuta, where around 1,700 migrants were evacuated from El Trampolín beach on Thursday Source: infobae. The police investigation began after finding a speedboat stranded near Benzú, Ceuta, with damage consistent with high-speed navigation Source: diariolibree.