A Spanish criminal group that manipulated the obtaining of residence and work permits in exchange for money has been dismantled

The Spanish Civil Guard has dismantled a criminal organization that manipulated the issuance of residence and work permits in exchange for money. A total of five people have been arrested in the Autonomous Community of Navarre for their alleged involvement in the crimes of belonging to a criminal group, offenses against the public administration, and facilitating illegal immigration.

The investigation began a year ago, when a scheme was detected that recruited foreign citizens, mainly of Asian and Maghrebi origin, in a situation of administrative vulnerability, with the aim of offering them regularization of their situation in exchange for money.

They did this by facilitating the processing of files fraudulently, circumventing the legal administrative procedure and omitting serious errors and the lack of requirements.

Investigators obtained evidence that members of the group took numerous precautions to evade surveillance. However, despite meeting in places of worship, cafes, or inside vehicles, it was possible to document their meetings.

Finally, the investigation led to four house searches in the towns of Pamplona and Tiebas (Navarra), along with a fifth at the Navarra Immigration Office, the workplace of one of the detainees. During the searches, numerous computer devices and documents relevant to the investigation were seized.

After being brought before the court, the judge ordered four of the alleged perpetrators to be held in pretrial detention, setting bail at €5,000 for two of them. A fifth suspect was released on bail subject to precautionary measures.