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A migrant smuggling network dismantled in Spain

(B2) Europol helped dismantle a Spain-based human trafficking ring operating between Africa and France. In total, the organization would be involved in the trafficking of at least 300 people.

Seven members of a human smuggling network were arrested in July by Spanish police in Madrid and northern Spain (in Guipuzcoa). The network would have facilitated the passage of 300 migrants from French-speaking African countries (Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali and Senegal) to France via Spain according to Europol investigations.

A well-established infrastructure

According to an communicated of the Spanish police on August 4, this network relied on a solid infrastructure deployed in Europe (France and Spain) and in French-speaking African countries. With a very specific role for each member.

First suspicions

The investigation started in January 2018. It all started from a bus station in San Sebastian (Spanish Basque Country). The suspicious behavior of two individuals, repeatedly waiting for people of African descent to arrive, drew attention. They take them to the station and buy them tickets to France.

Smooth logistics

Coming from the poor social strata of French-speaking countries, the migrants, to whom the traffickers promised to reach France, were embarked via various routes on the African continent to makeshift boats to reach the Spanish coast.

To then reach France, in addition to departures by train or bus, some took a taxi, driven by a Spaniard, who could take up to 150 euros per person, at the rate of five people per trip.

The Spanish police note the use of false papers most of the time but also some cases of identity theft.

During the arrest of the seven members of the network, eight migrants were found in two different apartments in Guipuzcoa, northern Spain. They were waiting to go to France.

Europol's analyzes

Europol's European Migrant Smuggling Center (EMSC) supported the investigation with in-house analytical capabilities and the deployment of an expert in San Sebastian (Spain) with a mobile office and UFED (Universal Forensic Extraction Device) “says the agency in a communicated Tuesday (August 7).

The investigations confirmed the existence of a criminal organization of sub-Saharan origin, specialized in migrant smuggling, based in San Sebastian, with branches in Bilbao, Madrid and ultimately in France.

(Emmanuelle Stoesser)

Emmanuelle Stroesser

A journalist for magazines and the press, Emmanuelle specializes in humanitarian issues, development, asylum and migration and human rights.

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