Violent Human Trafficking Ring Smashed By Police In Cadiz Spain

Violent Human Trafficking Ring Smashed By Police In Cadiz Spain

Violent Human Trafficking Ring Smashed By Police In Cadiz Spain. image: Nat Police Cadiz

Violent Human Trafficking Ring That Charged €2,500 Into Spain Smashed By Police In Cadiz.

THE National Police have arrested 20 people, 13 in the province of Cadiz and seven in Ceuta, and charged them with being members of a criminal organisation dedicated to the illegal trafficking of human beings. Authorities in Andalucia are said to be worried about the possible contagion risk as none of the immigrants would have been tested for the virus.

The immigrants, mostly Moroccan minors, were transferred by boat to the Spanish peninsula after paying €2,500 per person. The criminal network, considered ‘very violent’, attacked and threatened victims in case of delays or defaults- even threatening them with guns.

The organisation operated in the Campo de Gibraltar region and belonged to a well-known clan in the area. They sought victims from North Africa, mainly in Ceuta or surrounding Moroccan cities. The detainees are considered responsible for the sinking of a boat last February in which four people died – police are said to be investigating a link to that crime also.

Irregular migration in the region has been a prominent issue between Spain and Morocco as human trafficking becomes increasingly lucrative for traffickers. Both North Africans and sub-Saharan Africans attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea each year as irregular migrants.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported approximately 6,411 arrivals to Spain by sea in 2021. Last year, 788 irregular migrants were reported dead or missing by the UNHCR.

Morocco continues to work closely with Spain authorities to curb human trafficking patterns. In 2020, the US state Department ranked Morocco as a Tier 2 country for human trafficking stating, “The government of Morocco does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. The government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared to the previous reporting period; therefore Morocco remained on Tier 2.”

The National Police operation, which included 150 National Police officers from different specialities, worked alongside the European Criminal Agency, Europol.

Seven raids and searches were made, seizing five firearms, large amounts of ammunition, a GPS system, 150 drums containing 5,500 litres of fuel, three boats, £1,380, €710 and various documentation.

Most of the trafficked immigrants were Moroccan minors who paid €2,500 to travel to the Peninsula in boats with a capacity of seven to 10 people.

Thirteen arrests were made in the province of Cádiz, and seven in Ceuta, all of them for the illegal trafficking of human beings. Of the total number of detainees charged, seven have already been sent to prison.

Another worry for Andalucia is that in the past many of the immigrants have tested positive for coronavirus.

Related: Fourteen arrested for handling boats carrying illegal immigrants

Source: Okdiario

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Ron Howells

Ron actually started his working career as an Ophthalmic Technician- things changed when, during a band rehearsal, his amplifier blew up and he couldn’t get it fixed so he took a course at Birmingham University and ended up doing a degree course. He built up a chain of electronics stores and sold them as a franchise over 35 years ago. After five years touring the world Ron decided to move to Spain with his wife and son, a place they had visited over the years, and only bought the villa they live in because it has a guitar-shaped swimming pool!. Playing the guitar since the age of 7, he can often be seen, (and heard!) at beach bars and clubs along the length of the coast. He has always been interested in the news and constantly thrives to present his articles in an interesting and engaging way.

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