Suspected Syrian Gang Boss Arrested: Manages Million Euro People Smuggling Network to Drug Trafficking

The speedboat that was successfully secured by the joint Spanish police and Europol. (Source: Europol)

JAKARTA - A suspected leader of a human smuggling gang that offers 'VIP' services to illegal migrants from Africa to Europe, as well as being involved in various other illegal trades, has been arrested in Spain through the cooperation of the local police with Europol.

The gang made up to four million euros by smuggling more than 200 people to the shores of Spain on high-speed boats departing from Algeria.

Quoted from The National News July 5, the gang operates from Libya to Spain, and has cells in Sudan, Liberia, in addition to Algeria. The gang also runs drug trading, weapons, and special money laundering.

"The organization implements significant security and counter-supervision measures to ensure the success of its operations," the Spanish Police said.

"Investigations reveal that criminal networks, likely active since 2017, have been involved in various illegal activities, including smuggling migrants and drug trafficking and firearms," Europol said.

In a series of arrests and raids in Spain, 15 people were arrested in Almería, Roquetas de Mar, and Málaga, searches of 13 homes, confiscation of cash of 522,710 euros, and 1,200 US dollars, two high-speed speedboats, a gun, two outboard motors, 575 liters petrol, seven vehicles, 200 grams of marijuana, 42 cell phones, two satellite phones two computers, tablets and other documents were also seized.

🚨 Syrian gang leader arrested with 14 other suspects in Spain.

The suspects arranged for the smuggling of at least 200 migrants rarely used migration route from Syria through Sudan or the United Arab Emirates.

Press release ⤵️https://t.co/lzt1VYlIUr#EMPACT pic.twitter.com/JUv3wwyyLU

— Europol (@Europol) July 4, 2023