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27-10-2025, 09:33 AM
The cell of an international criminal organisation dedicated to the smuggling of migrants along the Atlantic route has been dismantled in Fuerteventura
Agents of the National Police belonging to the Local Brigade of Foreigners and Borders of Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura, in the operational and strategic framework of the fight against irregular immigration and organized crime, have carried out operation "NÁUFRAGO", an investigation that has made it possible to dismantle the operational structure in Spain of an international criminal organization dedicated to the smuggling of migrants from Morocco to the Canary Islands along the Atlantic route.
The Police operation began after the location of two immigrant victims of the network, who agreed to collaborate with justice under the condition of protected witnesses.
Based on his statements, a Moroccan citizen residing in Fuerteventura was identified, directly linked to the leadership of the organisation based in Morocco, specifically in the areas of Tan Tan and El Aaiún.
A violent and hierarchical network with its own means
The investigators accredited the existence of a stable and hierarchical criminal structure, made up of Moroccan citizens with clearly defined functions (recruitment, transport, collection, logistics, piloting and control).
The network had all-terrain vehicles, inflatable boats and weapons, which allowed it to simultaneously carry out different actions in the irregular area.
Migrants were embarked without life jackets or security means, and were subjected to violence, coercion and humiliating treatment, in extreme conditions.
One of the witnesses said that the main perpetrator in Spain threw three migrants into the sea during the crossing, who have since disappeared, and that he physically assaulted the victims.
Another of the witnesses identified the same individual as the pilot of the boat and in charge of collecting payments from the migrants, confirming his central role in the operation.
Connection to another previous investigation in April 2025
Through the analysis of social networks and open sources, investigators determined that this operation is linked to another investigation carried out in April 2025, in which another member of the organization, currently in pre-trial detention, was arrested.
Both individuals maintained a close personal and operational relationship, confirming their membership in the same transnational criminal network.
Arrest and imprisonment
The final phase of the operation took place between October 8 and 9 in Puerto del Rosario (Fuerteventura), culminating in the arrest of the main perpetrator in Spain, a 22-year-old man of Moroccan nationality, for the alleged crimes of:
Membership of a criminal organization
Encouraging illegal immigration
Homicide
Serious threats
Failure to provide assistance
Once the Police proceedings were completed, the arrested man was placed at the disposal of the competent judicial authority, who decreed his entry into provisional detention.
The structure dismantled in Spain
With this operation, the National Police has completely dismantled the Spanish cell of a major transnational criminal organisation dedicated to the illegal smuggling of migrants along the Atlantic route to the Canary Islands, reinforcing its commitment to the fight against illegal immigration networks and the protection of victims.
Agents of the National Police belonging to the Local Brigade of Foreigners and Borders of Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura, in the operational and strategic framework of the fight against irregular immigration and organized crime, have carried out operation "NÁUFRAGO", an investigation that has made it possible to dismantle the operational structure in Spain of an international criminal organization dedicated to the smuggling of migrants from Morocco to the Canary Islands along the Atlantic route.
The Police operation began after the location of two immigrant victims of the network, who agreed to collaborate with justice under the condition of protected witnesses.
Based on his statements, a Moroccan citizen residing in Fuerteventura was identified, directly linked to the leadership of the organisation based in Morocco, specifically in the areas of Tan Tan and El Aaiún.
A violent and hierarchical network with its own means
The investigators accredited the existence of a stable and hierarchical criminal structure, made up of Moroccan citizens with clearly defined functions (recruitment, transport, collection, logistics, piloting and control).
The network had all-terrain vehicles, inflatable boats and weapons, which allowed it to simultaneously carry out different actions in the irregular area.
Migrants were embarked without life jackets or security means, and were subjected to violence, coercion and humiliating treatment, in extreme conditions.
One of the witnesses said that the main perpetrator in Spain threw three migrants into the sea during the crossing, who have since disappeared, and that he physically assaulted the victims.
Another of the witnesses identified the same individual as the pilot of the boat and in charge of collecting payments from the migrants, confirming his central role in the operation.
Connection to another previous investigation in April 2025
Through the analysis of social networks and open sources, investigators determined that this operation is linked to another investigation carried out in April 2025, in which another member of the organization, currently in pre-trial detention, was arrested.
Both individuals maintained a close personal and operational relationship, confirming their membership in the same transnational criminal network.
Arrest and imprisonment
The final phase of the operation took place between October 8 and 9 in Puerto del Rosario (Fuerteventura), culminating in the arrest of the main perpetrator in Spain, a 22-year-old man of Moroccan nationality, for the alleged crimes of:
Membership of a criminal organization
Encouraging illegal immigration
Homicide
Serious threats
Failure to provide assistance
Once the Police proceedings were completed, the arrested man was placed at the disposal of the competent judicial authority, who decreed his entry into provisional detention.
The structure dismantled in Spain
With this operation, the National Police has completely dismantled the Spanish cell of a major transnational criminal organisation dedicated to the illegal smuggling of migrants along the Atlantic route to the Canary Islands, reinforcing its commitment to the fight against illegal immigration networks and the protection of victims.
To me drinking responsibly means do not spill it.