Spanish police have dismantled what they described as one of the largest people-smuggling networks operating in the Mediterranean, believed to have brought more than 2,000 migrants into the country, authorities said on Friday.
Network Details
The network used high-speed boats to transport synthetic drugs from Spain to Algeria for distribution across North Africa, where demand for drugs such as MDMA is high. On the return journey, it smuggled migrants to Spain’s southeastern coast and the island of Ibiza.
Police believe the group – which used extreme violence to protect its vessels – carried out at least 64 smuggling operations and generated profits of €24 million ($27 million). The sea crossings were extremely dangerous, the Civil Guard said, with migrants travelling in overcrowded boats at high speed and often in rough seas, without lights, and, in most cases, life jackets.
Sometimes the occupants were even tied down to prevent them from falling overboard during the crossing, the police said, adding that the organisation perpetrated extraordinary levels of violence against its own members and the migrants, as well as against police forces.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
