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

Europol described the network as having "evolved from drug trafficking into a duel-flow criminal enterprise designed to maximise profits," with outbound routes from Spain and Portugal to Algeria and inbound routes facilitating migrant smuggling. Migrants were charged up to €12,000 (£10,200) each, with over 50 migrants smuggled per trip, generating estimated profits exceeding €24 million (£20 million) from migrant smuggling alone.

The group organized transfers in international waters near the Spanish coastline, according to Europol. The bust also uncovered links to other criminal activities such as violent robberies, extortion, illegal detentions, and money laundering.

This operation follows a recent migrant influx into the Spanish North African territory of Ceuta, where approximately 78,000 migrants crossed following online rumors of an open border. Most have returned to Morocco, but between 3,000 and 5,000 remain, said Juan Jesús Vivas, the exclave's leader.

Sources