Operation Against Migrant and Drug Trafficking Network Between Algeria and Alicante

Criminal organisation, comprising individuals of Algerian and Spanish origin, allegedly conducted trips in drug boats from Alicante to Algeria transporting drugs, mainly cocaine and synthetic drug pills, and utilised the return journey for the illegal transport of migrants to Spanish coasts, charging between €6,000 and €10,000 per person, according to investigative sources.

The National Police, in a joint operation with Customs Surveillance of the Tax Agency, dismantled the network, arresting nine alleged members of the scheme, according to the same sources. Currently, two of the detainees have been released, while seven have been brought before the court for crimes of smuggling, facilitating illegal immigration, belonging to a criminal organisation, and offences against public health. The operation remains ongoing, with further arrests not ruled out.

The investigation began in early 2025, following the sighting by aerial media of the Customs Surveillance Service of one of the organisation's 'rhib' type boats over 40 miles off the Alicante coast, travelling at high speeds without cargo. This boat was later located in one of the marinas in the province of Alicante.

Thus, a joint investigation was initiated between the Combined Customs Surveillance Unit and the National Police group specialised in investigating criminal networks and organisations, both from Alicante, confirming the existence of a scheme composed of individuals of Algerian and Spanish origin dedicated to drug trafficking, facilitating illegal immigration, and smuggling through the purchase, storage, and use of speedboats for the transport of migrants, charging between €6,000 and €10,000 per person, as well as drugs.

Following these initial reports, a joint operation was established between Customs Surveillance of the Tax Agency and the National Police, conducting surveillance and investigations in coastal areas of Alicante where movements of drug boats have been detected, as well as in the province's marinas.

As a result of the investigations and surveillance carried out, various boats of the organisation were located in different marinas in the province of Alicante, identifying several members, including the leaders, who resided in the province.

During the operation, a well-organised structure was observed, with strong logistical support for transport means and continuous fuel supply for the organisation's boats, as well as their use for supplying other boats at sea. All this was reported to the corresponding court, initiating preliminary, secret proceedings for the continuation of the investigations.

The organisational structure of the investigated criminal group mainly comprised individuals of Algerian origin, although it was observed during the investigation that Spanish citizens were also among the organisation's members, providing logistical support for launching and retrieving the boats after navigation. Similarly, some of the boats moored in the marinas were registered under the name of one of the organisation's members, in this case, a Spanish citizen, to give a more legal appearance to their use.

This group would thus form an international organisation, as they also needed people in Algeria to advertise, obtain, and organise illegal migrants to bring them to our coasts, after paying large sums of money, and for the smuggling of various types of drugs.

The boats did not depart from the African continent but from Alicante to Algeria to transport these drugs and bring people on the return journey, with the organisation based in the Alicante province, where they had their operations base.

During the early hours of April 7th, the departure of two drug boats from the organisation was confirmed, heading to the Algerian coast, after previously refuelling with the necessary gasoline for both the filling of the boats' tanks and the embarked jerrycans. Officials from the Customs Surveillance and National Police investigative groups set up a reaction device for the imminent arrival of these boats back to Spain.

Finally, the first phase of the exploitation was precipitated with the arrival of one of the boats, in the early hours of April 8th, with 22 Algerian migrants on board, who were disembarked on the beach of Cartagena and immediately detained.

Subsequently, the arrest of the skipper, of Algerian nationality, as well as the owner of the semi-rigid boat, of Spanish nationality, who had come to the port to pick up the boat's crew member, was carried out. The other boat was eventually detained in Algeria by the country's police authorities.

These events led to the start of the second phase of the exploitation of the investigation, consisting of the arrests of the remaining members of the investigated organisation, including the leader, of Algerian origin, following various entries and searches. The detainees were subsequently brought before the Court of Instruction in Torrevieja.

In the operation, two semi-rigid boats over seven and a half metres long with high-powered engines, two vehicles, 26 gasoline jerrycans, various mobile phones, including some satellite phones, GPS devices, and knives were seized.

The use and possession of this type of semi-rigid inflatable boats with certain characteristics, without having been officially registered with the Customs Department of the Tax Agency and/or by indications, constitutes a criminal offence under the Smuggling Law, according to the National Police.