Europol Arrests 19 Suspected Traffickers in Spain-Germany-Norway Migrant Smuggling Operation
Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency, has announced the arrest of 19 suspected traffickers involved in a major migrant smuggling operation spanning Spain, Germany, and Norway. The arrests were made as part of an investigation led by the Spanish National Police, in collaboration with the German Federal Police and support from Europol.
The organized crime group behind the operation is accused of facilitating the secondary movements of over 550 migrants from Spain to Germany and Norway. The suspects, consisting of 16 Syrian and three Moroccan nationals, were apprehended during coordinated raids on June 20, following an extensive joint effort between the Spanish and German authorities.
During the raids, carried out across seven locations in Spain, law enforcement officials seized various assets linked to the smuggling network. Among the items confiscated were five vehicles, multiple mobile phones and data storage devices, and approximately €10,000 in cash. The arrests mark a significant step towards dismantling this particular part of the migrant smuggling network, which is believed to have extended across Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The investigation, which began in June 2022, revealed that the smugglers would pick up migrants on the coasts of Almeria and Murcia in Spain and transport them to properties in Toledo and Cuenca, both located south of the capital Madrid. Europol highlighted the unsanitary conditions in which the migrants were kept, posing a health risk from their illicit entry into Spain until their onward journey. The suspects, alleged to have been part of the network since 2017, are also suspected of using the informal hawala banking network to launder money.
Europol played a crucial role in supporting the Spanish and German authorities throughout the investigation. The agency facilitated the exchange of information, provided operational coordination, and offered analytical support. Additionally, one of Europol’s analysts was deployed to Spain to assist investigators during the action day.
The arrest of these suspected traffickers underscores the commitment of European law enforcement agencies to combatting migrant smuggling and organized crime networks. By apprehending those responsible and disrupting their operations, authorities aim to ensure the safety and security of vulnerable migrants and uphold the integrity of border control efforts.
The collaboration between Europol, the Spanish National Police, and the German Federal Police exemplifies the importance of international cooperation in tackling transnational criminal networks. As the investigation continues, efforts will be made to gather further evidence and identify any remaining members of the smuggling network.
