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 network trafficked synthetic drugs such as MDMA from Spain and Portugal to Algeria. On the return journey, they smuggled migrants and weapons to the Spanish mainland and Ibiza using high-speed "ghost speedboats." Europol reported the group had evolved from solely drug trafficking into a dual-flow criminal enterprise aimed at maximizing profits.

Authorities seized 18 high-speed vessels valued at €5 million (£4.2 million), firearms, over €25,000 (£21,400) in cash, and 15,000 MDMA pills during searches conducted in 17 locations across Spain, including Alicante, Almería, Cartagena, and Murcia.

Europol stated the group charged migrants up to €12,000 (£10,200) per person along routine routes from Algeria to Spain, with over 50 migrants smuggled in a single trip. Estimated profits from migrant smuggling alone exceed €24 million (£20 million). The group organized transfers in international waters near the Spanish coastline.

This announcement follows a recent influx of roughly 78,000 migrants into the Spanish North African territory of Ceuta, attributed to online rumors about an open border. While most migrants 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, including violent robberies, extortion, illegal detentions, and money laundering.

Sources