On March 18, Spanish authorities announced the arrest of two men and one woman in Cadiz and Granada as part of an operation targeting illegal immigration, conducted with the support of Europol. The suspects are believed to be involved in a maritime migrant trafficking operation between Kenitra, Morocco, and Cadiz, Spain, which resulted in the deaths of 5 people.
On November 29, the 35 passengers aboard a “narco lancha” operated by the three suspects were forcefully made to jump into the water in an area with strong currents, some unable to swim. The tragedy unfolded off the Camposoto beach, involving 27 migrants, of whom 5 drowned. Later, near Caño de Sancti Petri, the remaining eight migrants faced a similar fate, 4 hospitalized due to severe hypothermia. Each migrant had paid between €3,000 and €12,000 for the crossing.
This incident highlights a common modus operandi used by smugglers, involving landing migrants near beaches and immediately returning to sea to minimize interception risks.
