Spanish police said Friday they had dismantled what they called one of the largest criminal networks involved in smuggling migrants across the Mediterranean, arresting 78 people and seizing 18 high-speed boats.
The network allegedly used the vessels to transport synthetic drugs such as ecstasy from Spain to Algeria and, on the return journey, to smuggle migrants to Spain's Mediterranean coast and the island of Ibiza, police said in a statement.
Investigators believe the group was responsible for at least 64 migrant smuggling operations in which more than 2,000 people were brought to Spain, generating profits of more than €24 million ($28 million).
Police said the sea crossings were "extremely dangerous", with migrants travelling "crammed together, at high speed, in rough seas".
"On some occasions, passengers were even tied up to prevent them from falling into the water during the journey," the statement said.
