Dismantled an important criminal network of drug trafficking and transport of migrants to the peninsula from Melilla
8 people have been arrested and another 2 investigated for alleged crimes of criminal organization, against public health and against the rights of foreign citizens
They used recreational boats to transport the drugs, or used the "jump" or transshipment method on the high seas.
They charged each migrant 2,000 euros for the journey by boat from Melilla to the peninsula
The Civil Guard and the National Police, within the framework of the joint operation "Candil-Fuagras", have dismantled in Melilla a criminal organization dedicated to the trafficking of hashish and migrants.
Eight people have been arrested and another 2, of Spanish and Moroccan nationalities and with a long criminal record, have been investigated for the alleged crimes of criminal organization, against public health and against the rights of foreign citizens.
The investigation began last September, when the existence of an organized group dedicated to the transport of narcotic substances from Melilla to the peninsula was detected, either directly with high-speed boats, or through the "jump" or transshipment method in high seas between vessels.
When the investigation came together between the two police forces, it was decided to carry out the joint investigation in order to dismantle the criminal network.
They carried out the loading of narcotic substances on beaches in Morocco
The drugs that were transported to the peninsula were carried out with recreational boats, which the leader of the organization acquired in Morocco. Once the drugs were disposed of on a beach near Tres Forcas Cape (Morocco), other members of the network were in charge of transporting them to the Andalusian coast.
Alternatively, they also performed the "jump" mode, whereby, once the drug was stowed in the sports boat, it would go to specific coordinates on the high seas and transfer to speedboats of the "go fast" type.
Illegal trafficking of migrants to the peninsula
At the same time, the dismantled group was also dedicated to the transport of migrants to the peninsula, which brought them a high economic benefit, since they charged 2,000 euros to each of them to get on the boat and make the journey.
After the recruitment of the migrants and after the payment made, the organization established a complex security device with the aim of controlling all the movements of the different units of the Civil Guard, such as GEAS, tax patrols and citizen security, and even the departures of the Civil Guard helicopter.
In this way, once the operation was assured, the head of the device gave the go-ahead to carry out the action with the certainty of not being surprised. To do this, they approached a sports boat to the beach of the "Ensenada de los Galápagos" in Melilla, where another member of the network was waiting hidden with the migrants to get them on the boat and start the journey to the peninsula.
The organization leaders, of Spanish and Moroccan nationality, resided in the city of Melilla, they meticulously supervised all the movements of the members of the network, controlling all the phases of drug purchase, the recruitment of migrants as well as the subsequent transfer of drugs and people, leaving no detail to chance.
During the development of the operation, directed by the Court of Instruction no. 3 of those in Melilla, three house searches have been carried out in which 335 kilos of hashish have been seized, and 3 sports boats, 17 vehicles, as well as 7 mobile phones, various latest generation electronic material and numerous documentation of interest.
The investigation has been carried out by the Organic Unit of the Judicial Police (UOPJ) of the Commandery of the Civil Guard of Melilla and the UDYCO Group of the National Police of Melilla.
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