Drugs out, migrants back: 78 arrested in Spain’s huge €24m smuggling bust

The same speedboats allegedly carried ecstasy towards Algeria and returned packed with people bound for Spain. Investigators say some passengers paid €12,000 for night crossings without lifejackets, while up to 50 people were squeezed aboard at once.

Passengers allegedly travelled tied down without lifejackets

Migrants using the route were allegedly taken across the Mediterranean at high speed, often at night and through rough seas. Spain’s Interior Ministry said most travelled without lifejackets, while some were tied in place by the crew to prevent them falling overboard. 

The sea journey was only their final stage though. Investigators said many passengers had already crossed several African countries before reaching the departure points in Algeria. Once there, they were allegedly kept in overcrowded, unsanitary accommodation while waiting for a boat to take them to the peninsula. Police also described an internal system enforced through intimidation, threats, coercion and physical violence. The alleged victims included migrants and members of the organisation itself, with references uncovered during the investigation to kidnappings, assaults, reprisals and death threats.

The boats allegedly made money going in both directions

Investigators described the operation as a “double-flow” smuggling system designed to cash in on the return journey as well. High-powered boats with three or four engines reportedly left Spain carrying drugs, particularly MDMA, commonly sold as ecstasy. Then after delivering the drugs in Algeria, the same vessels allegedly returned with migrants bound for Almería, Cartagena, Murcia, Alicante and Ibiza. Authorities attribute at least 64 migrant crossings to the organisation, involving more than 2,000 people. Some journeys were said to have carried around 50 passengers, with prices reaching €12,000 per person depending on the service and route.

Investigators estimate that the migrant-smuggling operation generated more than €24 million. The organisation allegedly earned further income from drug sales and petaqueo, the illegal storage, transport and supply of fuel needed to keep high-speed smuggling boats operating at sea.

The equipment that the network used during their operations reflected the scale of the business. Officers identified encrypted communications, satellite telephones, tracking equipment, safe houses, surveillance vehicles and boats measuring up to 14 metres long.

Seventy-eight arrests stretch from Almería to Ibiza

The final phase involved more than 180 officers and resulted in 78 arrests, 77 in Spain and one in Algeria. Twenty-seven suspects have been placed in provisional prison while the case proceeds. Almería accounted for 36 arrests, followed by 13 in Murcia, 11 in Alicante and six in Ibiza. Further arrests took place in Cartagena, Palma de Mallorca, Palencia, Huelva, Córdoba, A Coruña, Sevilla and Lugo. Those detained allegedly occupied every level of the structure, from senior organisers to pilots, transporters, recruiters, fuel suppliers, lookouts, financial managers and frontmen. The arrests included alleged senior figures and a financial coordinator whom officials described as the network’s “hawalader”, a broker who operates within a traditional, informal system for transferring money outside of the conventional banking network.

🚨 Una ruta, dos negocios criminales

Transportaban drogas hacia #Argelia y volvían con migrantes de manera irregular@policia y Guardia Civil, con apoyo de #Europol, desarticulan una de las mayores redes de tráfico marítimo de personas

🚤 18 embarcaciones incautadas
👥 +2.000… pic.twitter.com/smdk5JMS7V

— Policía Nacional (@policia) August 7, 2026

The investigation was conducted by the Policía Nacional and Guardia Civil with Europol support. Police forces in France, Portugal and Poland also participated, while investigators said the network had connections extending into Italy.

Sources involved in the inquiry told EFE that the operation, which began in 2023, was not connected to the recent surge in sea arrivals in Ceuta.

Eighteen speedboats and thousands of pills seized

Officers carried out 17 searches in Almería, Murcia, Cartagena and Alicante. The confiscated property included 18 high-speed boats valued collectively at more than €5 million. Police also reported seizing 15,000 MDMA pills, 61 kilograms of hashish, 500 grams of cocaine, methamphetamine, a revolver, ammunition, four vehicles and 725 litres of petrol. More than €26,000 in cash and specialist communications and navigation equipment were also recovered.

The suspects are currently being investigated for alleged offences including membership of a criminal organisation, people smuggling, drug and arms trafficking, money laundering, extortion, threats and unlawful detention. Bank accounts, homes and vehicles allegedly belonging to senior members have been preventively blocked while criminal proceedings continue.