In a joint operation at the European level, authorities have dismantled an organization dedicated to the trafficking of Cuban migrants, resulting in the arrest of 36 individuals across several countries.
In Spain, the destination country for migrants, arrests were made in Málaga, Gipuzkoa, and other provinces.
According to local sources, the National Police in Málaga arrested an individual identified as one of the leaders of the transnational network that facilitated the illegal entry of Cuban migrants into Europe.
The organization charged approximately 10,000 euros per person, facilitating the entry of at least 67 migrants of Cuban origin.
At the same time, according to the Basque newspaper, two members of the same network were arrested in Gipuzkoa.
The investigation, which began in January 2023, revealed that the criminal network used a sophisticated trafficking system that started in Cuba, where interested parties were contacted via the Internet.
The alert was raised by the German authorities, who detected a Cuban citizen arriving from Belgrade and heading to Madrid at one of their airports, carrying a fake Spanish ID. From that moment, they notified the National Police.
Migrants would fly to Serbia and then be transported overland to Greece, passing through North Macedonia. From Greece, they would fly to Spain, using fake documents or authentic Spanish documents through a method known as "look alike," as reported by the Spanish media outlet El Periódico de Extremadura.
The road transport was carried out by "pirate drivers" and "coyotes," who facilitated clandestine border crossings. These operations often put migrants' lives in serious danger, as they frequently took place in the trunks of vehicles traveling at high speeds.
Among the 36 detainees are four key members of the network, who held managerial positions, reported the media.
Two of them were responsible for recruiting migrants, obtaining tickets, and facilitating the invitation letters necessary for migrants to enter Serbia.
The other two were responsible for organizing the overland route from Serbia to Greece and for providing falsified identity documents, which were used for migrants to fly from Greece to Spain while posing as Spanish citizens.
To receive payments, the leaders of the network had created a system of bank accounts in Belgium, some of which were opened using false documentation. Thanks to mechanisms of international legal cooperation, these accounts were located, blocked, and seized.
In the final operation, the four main suspects were arrested in Alicante (3) and Málaga (1). The other 32 individuals, who acted as intermediaries between the organization and the migrants, were detained in various Spanish provinces: Alicante (7), Barcelona (6), Las Palmas (4), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (4), Guipúzcoa (2), Balearic Islands (2), Madrid (2), Cáceres (1), Segovia (1), Toledo (1), Biscay (1), and Zaragoza (1).
Additionally, three home searches were carried out in Alicante (2) and Málaga (1), resulting in the seizure of 7,550 euros in cash, a large amount of computer equipment, and documentation relevant to the investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Operation Against the Trafficking of Cuban Migrants in Europe
How did the network for trafficking Cuban migrants dismantled in Europe operate?
The network trafficking Cuban migrants employed a transit system that began in Cuba, where they contacted interested individuals through the Internet. Migrants would fly to Serbia and then be transported overland to Greece, passing through North Macedonia. Finally, they would fly to Spain using either false or genuine documents through the look-alike method. The organization charged approximately 10,000 euros per person.
How many people were arrested in the operation against the trafficking of Cuban migrants?
Thirty-six people were arrested in several European countries. In Spain, arrests took place in various provinces, including Málaga and Gipuzkoa. Among those detained were four key members of the network, responsible for recruiting and transporting migrants, as well as for document forgery.
What risks did Cuban migrants face during their journey to Europe?
Cuban migrants faced serious risks during their journey, as they were often transported in the trunks of vehicles traveling at high speeds, putting their lives in danger. The ground transportation was undertaken by "pirate drivers" and "coyotes," who facilitated clandestine border crossings.
What role did international cooperation play in dismantling the network?
International cooperation was crucial in dismantling the network trafficking Cuban migrants. German authorities raised the initial alert upon detecting a Cuban citizen with a fake Spanish ID. Thanks to international legal collaboration, bank accounts in Belgium used for receiving payments from migrants were located, blocked, and seized.
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