A criminal organisation allegedly dedicated to smuggling irregular migrants into Spain using high-speed “taxi boats” has been dismantled following a joint police operation in Alicante and Santa Pola.
The National Police and the Guardia Civil, working alongside Europol and the French National Police, targeted the network which used fast boats to transport migrants to the coasts of Alicante, Murcia and Almería.
Dubbed Operation Baron-Galon, the investigation has so far led to seven arrests, with six individuals detained in Alicante and Santa Pola, and one arrested in Marseille, France. All of the detainees are men aged between 25 and 40 of Algerian and Libyan nationality. They face charges including crimes against the rights of foreign citizens, membership of a criminal organisation, smuggling, and property crimes.
Investigators revealed that the network was primarily based in the province of Alicante. It maintained an organised structure designed to handle both the logistics and personnel required to illegally introduce non-EU citizens, mostly Algerians, into Spanish territory.
During the operational phase of the investigation, officers executed three house searches, targeting two properties in the city of Alicante and one in Santa Pola. The raids resulted in the seizure of documents, cash, and several mobile phones allegedly linked to the criminal network.
The primary method used by the organisation involved semi-rigid vessels equipped with powerful engines, capable of making rapid sea crossings. Investigators established that some of these boats had been stolen in Spain and France, while others were acquired using falsified documents or rental agreements.
The network also employed individuals specifically for logistical tasks. These duties included supplying fuel, providing accommodation, and transporting the boat captains. Additionally, members were responsible for monitoring ports, identifying suitable vessels for their operations, and selecting safe landing points along the coast.
The probe highlighted international connections, particularly in France, concerning the acquisition of the vehicles and boats later deployed in Spain. This transnational element prompted close coordination between Spanish and European law enforcement agencies through Europol.
The police operation remains open, and authorities have not ruled out further actions relating to the dismantled irregular immigration network.
