Story thread · 10 reports / 10 sources

Spanish-Led Operation Busts Violent Mediterranean Smuggling Ring

occrp.org · 4dShare

A Spanish-led international police operation supported by Europol arrested 78 suspects in Spain and Algeria, dismantling an alleged violent smuggling network across the western Mediterranean, Europol stated Friday. Functioning like a maritime logistics company, the syndicate allegedly utilized an illicit fleet of prohibited "ghost speedboats" to traffic migrants, weapons, fugitives and drugs between Europe and Algeria, employing extreme violence and contract killers to maintain control. During raids across 17 locations in Spain, officers seized 18 high-speed vessels valued at more than 5 million euros ($5.78 million), alongside firearms, cash, and significant quantities of MDMA, hashish and cocaine. The network allegedly generated an estimated 24 million euros ($27.77 million) from migrant smuggling alone, charging up to 12,000 euros ($13,886) per person for life-threatening sea crossings. The network also allegedly acted as a service provider for other organized crime groups and laund

First report: Migrant dies at Los Angeles hospital after being found unresponsive in smuggling boat — fox5sandiego.com, 7d