8 arrested in a hit against criminal network smuggling Cuban nationals into Spain

Spanish National Police (Policía National), with the support of Europol and the Serbian Criminal Investigation Directorate, (Управа криминалистичке полиције), have dismantled a transnational criminal network involved in the smuggling of Cuban nationals from Cuba to Spain through the Western Balkan region. The criminal organisation, operating from Spain and Serbia, is allegedly involved also in document fraud and money laundering.

Exploiting visa-free travel arrangements

The investigation revealed that the criminal network exploited the visa-free travel regime between Cuba and Serbia, in force until April 2023, to organise the smuggling of Cuban nationals into Europe.

The network offered a “travel package” including flight tickets, invitation letters, medical insurance, and hotel reservations to simulate legitimate travel. The Cuban nationals travelled by air from Havana to Belgrade, usually transiting through Frankfurt. Upon arrival in Serbia, they were received by members of the criminal organisation based in the country.

From Serbia, irregular migrants were transported overland through North Macedonia and Greece before continuing across several EU countries towards Spain. The network primarily accommodated them in the province of Málaga, where they were instructed on how to regularise their status and apply for international protection.

Investigators established that before applying for asylum, irregular migrants were instructed to report their passports as lost in order to destroy traces from the route used to enter Europe. By obtaining new passports without Serbian entry stamps, they could falsely claim recent arrival in Spain during asylum procedures. In in 2023, Europol supported an investigation which led to 62 arrests against a migrant smuggling network using the same route and modus operandi.

The action day in April resulted in:

• 8 arrests, including two alleged leaders of the criminal network;
• 4 house searches and one inspection at a hospitality location in the province of Málaga;
• 28 bank accounts and financial products frozen and seized;
• Seizures include: bank cards, two imitation firearms, about EUR 10 000 in cash, electronic devices, and various documents relevant to the investigation. 

Migrants abandoned in vulnerable conditions

Authorities uncovered that the criminal network took advantage of the vulnerable situation of irregular migrants throughout the journey. In some cases, they were abandoned in North Macedonia without food, communication means, or basic hygiene conditions. Minors were left under the care of other migrants.

The Serbian branch of the network operated overcrowded accommodation facilities lacking minimum living standards, where they allegedly threatened the smuggled migrants to ensure their compliance.

Investigators linked the criminal network to nearly 30 migrant smuggling operations carried out since 2021. At least 40 Cuban nationals are believed to have been smuggled into Spain through this modus operandi.

Extensive money transfer network uncovered

The criminal organisation charged migrants amounts of approximately EUR 3 000 for the journey from Cuba to Spain. Payments were channelled through Spanish and foreign bank accounts, international money transfer companies, payment applications, and cryptocurrencies to hinder financial tracing. Financial investigations identified more than 2 200 money transfers linked to suspects based in Spain.

Europol supported the operation by facilitating information exchange and providing operational coordination and analytical support. To enhance real-time information sharing and analysis during the action day, a Europol expert was deployed to Spain to perform cross-checks of operational data against Europol’s databases and generate new leads for investigators in real time.

New Europol centre reinforces support against migrant smuggling.

Migrant smuggling remains a key criminal threat for the EU, requiring coordinated action across the entire criminal chain – from recruitment and transit, to the financial flows that sustain it. Europol supports investigations through a data-driven approach, enhancing cases provided by national authorities with operational analysis and expertise. Europol also facilitates information exchange and coordinates joint operations to disrupt criminal networks.

To strengthen Europol’s efforts to combat migrant smuggling, Regulation (EU) 2025/2611 was adopted in December 2025. This new EU legislation underscores the importance of addressing migrant smuggling at the EU level through enhanced cooperation, including the establishment of Europol’s European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling (ECAMS) in March 2026.

ECAMS ensures better systematic exchange of information and coordination of efforts. This includes strengthening expertise in OSINT and financial investigations, as well as enhancing the operational impact of the network of liaison officers from Frontex, Eurojust, and the Member States.