A criminal network that smuggled illegal immigrants through Eastern Europe has been uncovered in Spain as the result of a complex investigation by Spanish police, Europol and Frontex. The mostly Moroccon illegal immigrants were flown to Romania from Morocco, then stuffed into trucks and vans, and driven to Western European countries, including Spain.
The criminal organisation, over the course of two years, managed to smuggle in at least 50 groups of between 20 and 50 people, in journeys of over 3,000 kilometres lasting 33 hours.
It is estimated that the criminal gang pocketed more than €7 million, charging the migrants between 1,000 and 2,500 euros each.
In what is called Operation Tashira, special intelligence units of the Spanish Guardia Civil arrested four people in Murcia for alleged involvement in the criminal network. Several boxes of documents and cash were seized, the Spanish press said.
