Spanish police arrested five individuals suspected of charging migrants thousands of euros for illegally transporting them from Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa, to mainland Spain.
The arrests occurred less than a month after a deadly border breach in this Spanish territory bordering Morocco, during which over 70,000 migrants illegally entered Ceuta. Many of them swam across the border or crossed it on foot. Dozens of people died in the chaotic events. The leader of Ceuta, Juan Jesus Vivas, informed EU lawmakers that around 100 people had died, while the Spanish NGO Caminando Fronteras reported 141 fatalities.
This incident has once again intensified the debate in Europe over the issue of migration. In response, Italy temporarily reinstated border controls at its border with Spain, and Madrid, in turn, introduced border controls for travelers from Italy.
What did the Spanish police say about the arrests?
Five individuals were arrested following two investigations in Ceuta and La Linea de la Concepcion in Andalusia, which borders the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. According to Spain’s Ministry of the Interior, the suspects in organizing the illegal transport of migrants allegedly charged them up to 9,000 euros ($10,500), using small boats “to transport migrants from Ceuta to the mainland”.
Four of those arrested were allegedly part of a network that picked up undocumented migrants and hid them in houses or garages in Ceuta before transporting them across the Strait of Gibraltar to Spain. A police statement noted that “boat drivers were chosen for their experience in high-speed navigation and their ability to perform evasive maneuvers and avoid police checks”.
During one of the crossings, seven people were in an overcrowded inflatable boat for five hours, measuring only about five meters in length and two meters in width. They had no life jackets or other proper rescue equipment, the police reported. The boat ran out of fuel and began to drift in the Strait of Gibraltar.
Strong currents, changing tides, high winds, and intense maritime traffic make the Strait of Gibraltar extremely dangerous for people attempting to cross it in small boats.
What is the current situation in Ceuta?
Most of the approximately 72,000 migrants who entered Ceuta in late July have returned to Morocco, according to Spanish officials. However, thousands remain in the enclave, sleeping in makeshift camps, on the streets, or on the beach. More than 1,000 migrants were removed from Trampolin Beach on Friday after more than 1,200 people were evacuated the day before and taken to shelters.
The Spanish government in Madrid has announced that it will open temporary centers to reduce the burden on the overcrowded migrant shelters in Ceuta.
Source: Deutsche Welle
