Human TraffickingNews

Spanish National Police dismantled two organizations that allegedly trafficked irregular immigrants between Spain and France

It is estimated that the organizations, based in Bilbao and Vitoria, would have facilitated the crossing into France of several hundred irregular immigrants.

There are 15 people detained in Bilbao (6), Vitoria (3), Madrid (3), Irún (2) and Lleida (1)

Two addresses have been registered in Vitoria where 3,000 euros have been intervened, a vehicle, 24 mobile phones, computer equipment and various documentation

Agents of the Spanish National Police have dismantled two criminal organizations allegedly dedicated to the trafficking of irregular immigrants between Spain and France. The organizations, based in Bilbao and Vitoria, would have facilitated the crossing into France of several hundred irregular immigrants, generating great benefits. There are 15 people detained in Bilbao (6), Vitoria (3), Madrid (3), Irún (2) and Lleida (1), including the two leaders who have entered prison. Two addresses have been registered in Vitoria where 3,000 euros have been intervened, a vehicle, 24 mobile phones, computer equipment and various documentation.

The investigation began with the arrest in Navarra of a person who had been caught on several occasions transferring irregular immigrants from the provincial community to France.

After various negotiations, the agents were able to verify the existence of two different criminal organizations, which sometimes cooperated with each other, dedicated to favoring the transit of irregular immigrants of African origin between Spain and France.

The migrants arrived by boat at different points on the Spanish coasts, where they were referred to different NGOs. It was here, or even before their departure from Morocco, where the networks captured them with the promise of transferring them from Spain to France in exchange for amounts close to 200 euros.

Various itineraries

The two organizations had established various itineraries to move immigrants from the cities where they were hosted to Irún, passing through places such as Madrid, Bilbao, Vitoria and San Sebastián, where they had collaborators who received immigrants and provided them with tickets. train and bus to continue your journey to the city of Gipuzkoa.

Once in Irún, if the conditions were adequate, the organizations immediately facilitated the crossing to France. Otherwise, the immigrants were taken to the headquarters of an NGO where they waited for the right moment.

By car or by bus

To carry out the border crossing, the two criminal networks used different methods. One of them transported immigrants by vehicle from Irún to the French town of Bayona, while the other preferably used regular bus lines at very specific time slots.

In both cases, the immigrants went to an NGO in the French city or to a reception center where they waited until they received, through telephone messaging applications, the tickets to continue to their final destination in France or in other European countries.

The agents estimate that several hundred irregular immigrants have crossed the border between Spain and France through the support of these organizations, having obtained great benefits for it.

The police operation has ended with the arrest of the two leaders and 13 other members as alleged perpetrators of crimes of belonging to a criminal organization and against the rights of foreign citizens. The entry and registration has been carried out in two homes in Vitoria in which 3,000 euros have been intervened, a vehicle, 24 mobile phones, computer equipment and various documentation. The investigation of the investigations has been directed by the Court of Instruction number Two of Pamplona.