The Civil Guard arrests 14 people in an operation against irregular migration between Algeria and Spain
Operation Nautilita, carried out by the Civil Guard in several locations in Almería, Murcia, Seville and Alicante, has led to the seizure of several boats, engines and weapons
The Civil Guard has carried out an operation, called Nautilita, in various locations in the provinces of Almería, Murcia, Seville and Alicante, which has resulted in the arrest of 14 people and the investigation of another eight, accused of belonging to a criminal organisation dedicated to facilitating irregular migration between Algeria and Spain.
One million euros worth of material
In total, eight house searches were carried out in the towns of Almería, Níjar, Tabernas, Espartinas and Alicante, leading to the seizure of a total of 15 inflatable boats between 7.5 and 8 head waiters, equipped with engines between 200 and 425 horsepower; two other boat hull moulds, 8 and 14 head waiters in length, respectively; three 300 horsepower engines; two handguns; 133 petrol cans and €68,115 in cash.
According to information provided by the Civil Guard, the criminal organisation, which has been dismantled, could have invested more than one million euros in this material, which would be used to transport immigrants illegally to Spain.
A year of investigations
The Civil Guard had been conducting these investigations since May 2024, when it became aware of the activities of a criminal organisation that was hoarding fuel and acquiring various boats and large-displacement engines.
According to information provided by the Civil Guard, the organisation also had a financial network that supported the criminal activity from a logistical and operational point of view.
With the help of Europol and the collaboration of other European police forces such as the French National Gendarmerie and the Italian Carabinieri, the Civil Guard discovered that the organisation had invested more than €1 million in the acquisition and manufacture of high-speed boats, known as “Go Fast”.
To do this, they used a network of companies based in France, which brought the profits from their illegal activities into Spain from Algeria. It is estimated that they charged around €7,000 to each irregular migrant they brought into Spain.
Organisational chart
According to the investigation, the criminal organisation had a clearly defined organisational chart, with various profiles of sponsors, financiers, intermediaries and fixers, as well as facilitators from the nautical sector and people dedicated to logistics and cover.
In collaboration with nautical companies and shipyards specialising in the marketing and manufacture of boats, they provided the organisation with the necessary logistics for the migrants' sea crossings, which put their lives at risk.
Those arrested have been charged with the alleged crimes of membership of a criminal organisation, money laundering, violation of the rights of foreign citizens in the form of aiding and abetting illegal immigration, smuggling and illegal possession of weapons.