A criminal group that supplied fuel to migrant boats used as taxis in Águilas (Murcia) has been dismantled

The Civil Guard has arrested 14 people, including the ringleader, and investigated four others in Águilas (Murcia) and Huércal Overa (Almería), belonging to a criminal organization specializing in supplying fuel to “petaqueo” boats, used for the irregular transport of people in “taxi boats” from North Africa to the Spanish coast.

In the three searches carried out, more than 5,000 liters of gasoline, eight vehicles, five boats, a jet ski, a short gun modified to fire live ammunition and ammunition were seized.

An organized network to sustain the illegal trafficking of people

The agents detected an open-air ‘nursery’ fuel storage point on the coast of Águilas (Murcia), along with a vessel that was being refueled after a clandestine landing of irregular migrants.

This operation confirmed the existence of a criminal organization that operated continuously in strategic locations along the coast of Murcia and Almería. These areas were used as logistical bases to ensure both the arrival and return of vessels involved in human trafficking.

Drones, surveillance and refueling at sea

The organization had a complex infrastructure to carry out its activity, with vehicles adapted to transport large quantities of fuel, high-powered boats used for refueling at sea, drones used to monitor police movements, supply points hidden in isolated coves, surveillance and counter-surveillance systems, as well as firearms.

In addition, the agents have verified several nighttime operations in which the members of the organization carried out fuel transfers with great speed and coordination to avoid being detected.

Extremely dangerous journeys

The activity was directly linked to numerous landings of irregular migrants on the southwestern coast of Spain.

These crossings were made under very precarious conditions, with overloaded boats and no safety measures, posing a serious risk to the lives of those on board. This type of route has been linked to incidents with fatalities.

The detainees are accused of the alleged crimes of belonging to a criminal group, facilitating irregular migration, and transporting and storing explosive substances.

The operation was carried out by agents of the Judicial Police of the Civil Guard in Murcia with the collaboration of the Local Police of Águilas.