Algerian taxi-boat gang dismantled

The Guardia Civil, in the so-called Emisario operation, has dismantled a criminal organisation dedicated to the irregular introduction of Algerians into Spain and drug trafficking. In total, seven people have been arrested and 68 kilograms of methamphetamines have been seized.

The operation began in early 2023 when investigators were tracking an Algerian citizen who was suspected of being the leader of a criminal network that facilitated the logistics and personnel necessary for the irregular introduction of compatriots through the coasts of the provinces of Alicante, Murcia and Almería.

The dismantled criminal organisation sent boats loaded with ecstasy and amphetamines from Spain to Algeria. Once there, they took advantage of the return trip to transport Algerian citizens to the Spanish coasts. In this way the organisation had double financing: drugs and immigration.

These trips were carried out using “taxi boats”: semi-rigid boats with high-power engines that they used to transport drugs and migrants.

The criminal network had people dedicated to logistical tasks, providing fuel and coverage to the boat owners upon their arrival in Spain.

In Algeria they had a network to recruit people that was responsible for collecting the money agreed upon before starting the journey. This money came to the organisation through a currency exchange system known as “hawala.”

The Guardia Civil has arrested six Algerians in Alicante for alleged crimes against the rights of foreign citizens, simulation of a crime, membership in a criminal organisation, against public health, against property and reception.

The investigators have carried out five searches, four of them in homes and a fifth in an industrial warehouse, all of them in Alicante. 20 kilograms of methamphetamine pills, two semi-rigid boats, two vehicles, 8,780 euro in cash, a detonating pistol and several mobile phones have been seized.

The agents arrested a seventh person in the Almeria town of Roquetas de Mar when the boat that was loaded with drugs towards Algeria broke down in the middle of the sea. On this occasion, 48 kilograms of methamphetamines were seized.

In this operation, the Guardia Civil has seized a total of 68 kilograms of methamphetamines with an estimated market value of three million euro.

The operation has been carried out by the Information Group of the Alicante Guardia Civil together with the Information Headquarters (UCE 3). The Reserve and Security Group No. 3, the Citizen Security Unit of Torrevieja, the Cynological Service and the Service Centre of the Alicante Command have participated in the arrests and searches.

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