Authorities have dismantled a major criminal network involved in smuggling drugs, weapons, and migrants across the Western Mediterranean, with 78 suspects arrested in a Spain-led operation supported by Europol, the EU’s law enforcement agency said on Friday, Anadolu reports.
The network, described as operating like a logistics company for organized crime groups, managed two-way maritime smuggling routes between Europe and Algeria, according to a statement by Europol.
The operation was led by Spanish authorities with support from French, Portuguese, and Polish authorities.
Authorities found that the criminal group provided a wide range of services to other criminal organizations, including vessel storage, transportation, refueling, maritime transfers, boat maintenance, and counter-surveillance.
The statement said 78 suspects were arrested in Spain and Algeria, including three high-value targets, during an operation during which 17 locations were searched in Spain, including in Alicante, Almeria, Cartagena, and Murcia.
