Spanish police revealed today, Sunday, that they have dismantled a criminal organization that smuggled Syrian migrants from Lebanon to Spain, Germany, and Norway across three continents. The police stated in a statement that they had dismantled "the logistical structure of a criminal organization specialized in smuggling Syrian migrants in Spain, in cooperation with Europol and the German federal police."
Nineteen individuals have been arrested on suspicion of "membership in a criminal organization and involvement in illegal immigration," with six of them placed in pretrial detention.
The Spanish police explained that "the migration route passed through three continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe, by air, sea, and land, with each migrant paying the smugglers 20,000 euros." The network collaborated with criminal organizations in other countries and received funds through "remittances," allowing it to generate around 2.5 million euros.
According to initial investigation elements, migrants departed from Lebanon, traveling from Beirut Airport to Egypt for 4,000 euros. From there, Syrians then traveled overland to Libya, Tunisia, and Algeria for 3,500 euros. They were then transported by boat from the Algerian cities of Oran and Mostaganem to the Spanish coast for 10,000 euros.
Upon their arrival in Spain, migrants traveled by car to Madrid, Cuenca, and Toledo (in the center), where they remained hidden in dire conditions for 250 euros a week until they secured documents. Once they obtained documentation, they could either stay in Spain or go to Germany or Norway (for 1,000 and 2,000 euros, respectively).
