Spanish police, in coordination with Europol, arrested 78 individuals in Spain and Algeria on Friday, August 7th, 2026, dismantling one of the largest criminal networks smuggling drugs and people across the western Mediterranean.

The group trafficked synthetic drugs such as MDMA, firearms, and explosives from Spain and Portugal to Algeria. On the return journey, they smuggled migrants and weapons to the Spanish mainland and Ibiza using "ghost speedboats," according to Europol. These high-speed vessels, 18 of which were seized and valued at €5 million (£4.2 million), facilitated transfers in international waters near the Spanish coastline.

Europol described the network as having "evolved from drug trafficking into a duel-flow criminal enterprise designed to maximise profits." Migrants were charged up to €12,000 (£10,200) per person along routine routes from Algeria to Spain, with over 50 migrants smuggled in a single trip. Profits from migrant smuggling alone are estimated to exceed €24 million (£20 million).

The police operation involved searches at 17 locations in Spain, including Alicante, Almería, Cartagena, and Murcia. Authorities also seized guns, more than €25,000 (£21,400) in cash, and 15,000 MDMA pills.

This announcement follows a recent surge in migration to the Spanish North African territory of Ceuta, where approximately 78,000 migrants entered amid rumors of an open border. While most have returned to Morocco, between 3,000 and 5,000 remain, according to Juan Jesús Vivas, the exclave's leader.

The network is also linked to other criminal activities such as violent robberies, extortion, illegal detentions, and money laundering.

Sources