The National Police warned in May 2024 that the diplomatic conflict with Algeria was generating a rise in immigration mafias. This migration crisis has exploded this summer when criminal organizations have used this route to transport people to the Balearic Islands or Almería. LA RAZÓN has had access to the report from the Central Unit of Illegal Immigration Networks and Documentary Falsities (UCRIF) that points out the “bad relationships” existing between both countries.
This police report dates back to the month of May 2024 when the agents began to investigate a criminal organization that carried drugs in drug boats to Algeria and returned with the same boat to Spain with immigrants inside. The procedures were carried out by the UCRIF of the National Police and the Customs Surveillance Service of Valencia.
“A network of occupied apartments”
The agents described this means of transportation as “taxi boats” and they reached them thanks to the information received by an anonymous person. In this document, officials highlight that human trafficking consists of “the 21st century slavery“The victims of this trafficking are usually vulnerable people with delicate economic conditions,” they maintain.
The report warns that these people become “involved in the criminal organization for life.” Some criminals who are in charge of all levels of the immigration business. Its mechanisms are such as recruitment, transportation, reception, reception and then threats, coercion, deception or abuse of power.
These people have “pateras flats” to house their victims. “Detecting even that they have a network of occupied apartments“warns the police report to which this medium has had access. The promotion of the trips occurred through social networks and clients paid amounts that were around 6,000 and 10,000 euros.
Algeria, “clandestine passage” towards Europe
“Algeria is becoming one of the reference places for this clandestine passage towards Europe due to the poor relations between governments,” relates the National Police report, which is dated May 2024. Border and immigration specialists detected this paradigm that has been consolidated over time without the planned measures having been taken.
This summer the numbers have exploded and places like Almeria or Alicante They have taken over from other municipalities. Another way of these trafficking mafias has been to focus on the Balearic Islands, whose islands have suffered a few months of saturation of public services due to the disembarkation of these vessels.
The latest data, which dates back to the end of last month, reflects that arrivals by sea to the Peninsula increased by 55.6% compared to 2024. They went from 3,197 last year to 5,465 in 2025. A figure that contrasts with the reality of the Canary Islands where the balance decreased considerably.
The reason for this change was that Morocco and Mauritania They reinforced the controls of this type of mafias. The approach of the Government of Pedro Sanchez with Mohamed VI generated tensions and conflict with Algeria. This circumstance was detected by the National Police in its investigations into trafficking and groups from this country. However, adequate means were not put in place to try to strengthen these relationships.
Despite all this, the National Police managed to successfully carry out its investigations into this criminal plot. The group ended up being dismantled and its members will have to respond to justice in the coming months.