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Spanish Police dismantle two criminal organisations smuggling hundreds of Chinese

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The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol)  has supported the Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional) in dismantling two criminal organisations that smuggled hundreds of Chinese nationals using a variety of fraudulent methods.

According to the Spanish authorities, the criminal networks smuggled over 1 000 victims, most of whom were later sexually exploited. These rings are alleged to have earned EUR 5 million from their criminal activities.

Such a complex investigation had to be conducted in two phases: in the first, Spanish law enforcement authorities arrested 35 suspects for belonging to a criminal organisation, facilitating illegal immigration and forging documents. Following these arrests, the Spanish police arrested 34 more suspects for allegedly issuing fraudulent documentation to facilitate the legalisation of the migrants. 

Results of the operation:

  • 69 arrests
  • 7 luxury vehicles seized
  • EUR 80 000 in cash seized
  • Seizure of electronic devices and documentation

Europol provided operational analysis support during throughout the investigation and, on the action day, deployed an analyst on-site to Toledo to provide on-the-spot assistance and forensic expertise.

From fake work contracts to sham marriages

The investigation revealed that the two dismantled organisations were established in Guadalajara, Madrid and Toledo (Spain) but had branches scattered throughout Spain, including Barcelona, Coruña, San Sebastián, Seville and Valencia. They carried out their criminal activities independently, although they occasionally cooperated when necessary.

The criminal organisations provided victims with fraudulent work contracts and fake registrations in municipalities where they never lived in order to obtain legal status in Spain. They even arranged sham marriages and provided advice on how to successfully pass the interviews during the application procedures.

Several law firms collaborated with the criminals by helping them draft the fake documentation. These firms received between EUR 500 and EUR 1 000 in exchange for each victim.

Links to Europe’s largest Chinese prostitution ring

The case is connected to an operation task force that Europol has been supporting since 2020 and which led to the dismantling of Europe’s largest Chinese criminal network involved in trafficking in human beings for sexual exploitation.

The case is also linked to an operation targeting a criminal organisation trafficking human beings for the purposes of sexual and labour exploitation in Mallorca (Spain). The operation took place in March 2024 and resulted in 17 arrests and the protection of 13 victims.

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Nigerian, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Somali migrants, others massively repatriated by Libya

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Libyan authorities, during the week embarked on massive repatriation of immigrants.

Nigerian, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Somali  migrants are among the nationalities sent back home from the North African country.

Moroccan, Bangladeshi and Ghanaian migrants were also repatriated.

According to Migrant Rescue Watch, “DCIM repatriated with IOM support over 150 #migrants, mainly women with children of Nigerian nationality via Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli.”

In another operation, Migrant Rescue Watch said “DCIM transferred from Ajdabiya Immigration Detention Center via Sirte to Tripoli 90 #migrants including  women of Eritrean, Ethiopian and Somali nationalities for completion of procedures and repatriation.

This was followed by the repatriation of Moroccans whom DCIM repatriated from East Tripoli Immigration Detention Center 5.  “The individuals were interdicted by the Libyan Coast Guard during an attempted illegal boat crossing,” Migrant Rescue Watch said, adding,  “DCIM with consular and IOM support repatriated via Mitiga Int. Airport in Tripoli 159 #migrants of Bangladeshi nationality. The group incl. 58 #migrants released from DCIM Immigration Detention Centers East Tripoli (Tajoura) and Tariq Mata.”

The return of Ghanaian migrants was announced by  IOM Ghana on its Xhandle and retweeted by Migrant Rescue Watch.

The tweet reads: “This week, IOM welcomed home 134 Ghanaian migrants who voluntarily returned from Libya via charter flight. Coinciding with the #16Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), they received information on GBV, resources for support & reporting, & psychological first aid.”

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Thirty two rescued people stuck aboard in Palermo as SeaWatch5 disembark vulnerable cases

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Thirty two rescued people remained stuck aboard in Palermo as SeaWatch5 disembarked vulnerable cases.

Sea Watch International disclosed this as it said that
the #SeaWatch5 has docked in Palermo so that medical assistance can be provided to some of the rescued people and for the disembarkation of minors ordered by the competent court.

It said “All rescued people should be allowed to disembark after reaching a safe port, not being forced on an exhausting and useless 4-day journey to the assigned port of Ravenna. Partial disembarkation is inhumane and discriminatory. Get all the people ashore now.”

Few hours after the above message was shared, Sea Watch said that #SeaWatch5 disembarked vulnerable cases as ordered by the court. “Yet 32 rescued people remain stuck aboard in Palermo. Forcing these persons to sail another 1,000+ km to Ravenna is reckless, racist, illegal, and endangers lives. We brought them to safety—now let them stay.”

Giving an update:, it said: “Resistance works – all guests are allowed to disembark!

“We’re relieved but also angry: the political power plays at the expense of people on the move are cynical and inhumane.
We wish all our guests strength in their ongoing fight against Fortress Europe!”

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OceanViking rescues 48 people from overcrowded rubber boat

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OceanViking has rescued 48 people from an overcrowded rubber boat.

SOS Mediterranee disclosed on its X handle.

It said: “Yesterday, following a VHF radio message from a NATO aircraft, #OceanViking rescued 48 people from an overcrowded rubber boat in the Libyan Search and Rescue Region. 90% of the survivors are unaccompanied minors.”

Towards the end of the rescue operation, SOS Mediterranee said the Libyan coast guards approached the scene at full speed, dangerously maneuvering. “Despite the unnecessary tension, @SOSMedIntl teams managed to bring everyone safely onboard Ocean Viking. Survivors are now resting inside the shelters.”

It added that authorities instructed Ravenna as Place of Safety, 1575 km away. This implies a 4-day navigation to reach it &4 days to be back to the area of operations, where we are most needed. SOS Mediterranee regretted that :”This distant port practice is emptying the Med of rescue assets and adding on to survivors’ suffering.”

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