Spanish police said on Friday they had dismantled what they called one of the largest criminal networks involved in smuggling migrants across the Mediterranean, arresting 78 people and seizing 18 high-speed boats.
The network allegedly used the vessels to transport synthetic drugs such as ecstasy from Spain to Algeria and, on the return journey, to smuggle migrants to Spain's Mediterranean coast and the island of Ibiza, police said in a statement.
Investigators believe the group was responsible for at least 64 migrant smuggling operations in which more than 2,000 people were brought to Spain, generating profits of more than €24 million.
Police said the sea crossings were "extremely dangerous" with migrants travelling "crammed together, at high speed, in rough seas."
"On some occasions, passengers were even tied up to prevent them from falling into the water during the journey," the statement said.
The network charged up to €12,000 per person transported, with some operations involving as many as 50 migrants per crossing, police said.
Among those arrested were four alleged leaders of the organisation. Authorities also seized 18 high-speed boats valued at more than five million euros.
The operation was carried out with the cooperation of Europol, the European Union's law enforcement agency, and police forces in France, Portugal and Poland.
Most irregular migration to Spain by sea takes place along the Atlantic route from west Africa to the Canary Islands, one of the main entry points to Europe for people fleeing conflict, persecution and poverty.
While arrivals to the Canary Islands have fallen in recent months, irregular migration along the western Mediterranean route from Algeria to Spain has increased.
