Spanish Police Arrest 78 in Massive Western Mediterranean Smuggling Ring

Sun Sep 06 2026 03:35:51 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Authorities dismantle a multi‑national smuggling network moving drugs, weapons and migrants across Spain, Portugal and Algeria, arresting 78 suspects

Europol and Spanish police smashed one of the largest drug and migrant smuggling networks in the Western Mediterranean, seizing 18 high‑speed boats, weapons, more than €25,000 in cash and 15,000 MDMA pills. The ring routed synthetic drugs from Spain and Portugal to Algeria, then diverted the return journey to smuggle migrants and weapons to Ibiza and the Spanish mainland using “ghost speedboats.” Roughly 78 people were arrested in Spain and Algeria, with network members linked to crime groups across France, Belgium, Italy and Poland. Investigators estimate the smugglers earned over €24m (£20m) from migrant trafficking alone. The bust coincided with a recent surge in migrants fleeing to the Spanish exclave of Ceuta amid rumours of an open border.

One of the largest criminal networks smuggling drugs and people in the western Mediterranean has been dismantled, authorities said.

Europol reported that 78 people were arrested in Spain and Algeria in a major bust that also targeted violent robberies, extortion, illegal detentions and money laundering.

The gang moved synthetic drugs from Spain and Portugal to Algeria, then mixed the return cargo with migrants and weapons to the Spanish mainland and the Island of Ibiza on “ghost speedboats.”

The operation seized 18 high‑speed vessels worth around €5m (£4.2m), firearms, more than €25,000 (£21,400) in cash and 15,000 MDMA pills.

Spanish police searched 17 sites, including Alicante, Almería, Cartagena and Murcia, during the sting operation.

Europol described the organization as having evolved from drug trafficking into a “dual‑flow criminal enterprise” with outbound routes from Spain and Portugal to Algeria.

The smuggling focus was on synthetic drugs (MDMA), firearms and explosives, and migrants were charged up to €12,000 (£10,200) each; a single trip could carry more than 50 people.

Profits from migrant smuggling alone were estimated at more than €24m (£20m).

The network also serviced other organised crime groups, moving illicit goods and people across the Western Mediterranean.

Multiple trafficking flows were coordinated, moving synthetic drugs from France and Spain to Algeria, and transporting cannabis resin, weapons and migrants from Algeria to Spain.

The gang used a fleet of high‑powered speedboats—often “ghost speedboats” that avoid registration—to transfer cargo and migrants in international waters near the Spanish coast. Once handed over at sea, other members arranged onward transport by land.

Migrants were carried in overcrowded boats without lighting or life jackets, often under extreme weather conditions. Suspects reportedly committed sexual assaults, physical abuse and stored migrants in inhuman conditions.

Most suspects were of Algerian origin, with ties to criminal groups in France, Belgium, Portugal, Italy and Poland.

Other seized items included satellite phones, GPS devices, encrypted communication tools and satellite dishes.

The announcement follows a week after roughly 78,000 migrants fled into the Spanish North African territory of Ceuta amid rumours of an open border. About 3,000 to 5,000 remain there, according to Ceuta's leader Juan Jesús Vivas.