The headline “Spain dismantles criminal network smuggling migrants from Algeria to the EU” may give the impression of an “Algerian problem.” The facts tell a more nuanced story. The network was led by a Moroccan national and comprised both Algerian and Moroccan suspects based in Spain. It relied on companies in France and Spain to procure boats and equipment, meaning the operation was transnational rather than tied to one country.
Spanish authorities, supported by Europol, carried out raids across Almería, Níjar, Tabernas, Espartinas and Alicante. They seized 15 speedboats, moulds for hulls, electronic gear and more than €68,000 in cash. The network invested over €1 million in boats and charged migrants up to €7 000 for dangerous journeys from Algeria to Spain. These are criminals exploiting human desperation, not representatives of Algeria.
Importantly, the operation demonstrates law-enforcement cooperation at work. Europol facilitated real-time information exchange and cross-checked data for investigators. Spain’s National Police have publicly thanked their counterparts in Algeria for intelligence sharing, and Algerian coastguards routinely intercept and rescue vessels off their shores. Focusing solely on the nationality of departure ignores that smuggling routes are fluid; when one corridor is disrupted, criminals shift elsewhere. That is why Spain and Algeria signed a migration-cooperation agreement that includes joint patrols and repatriation assistance.
Algeria is also tackling the root causes of irregular migration through investment in youth employment and rural development. With nearly 200,000 new small businesses registered in 2024 and rising non-hydrocarbon exports, opportunities at home are growing. By emphasizing a cooperative approach and addressing economic drivers, Algeria and its partners can protect lives and dismantle networks. Blaming one country only diverts attention from the real solution: shared responsibility.
DzWatch
