The vessel stopped by the Civil Guard Maritime Services on Wednesday morning south of Cabrera proved not to be a typical immobile craft. When officers approached, they found a seaworthy excursion boat in operation, quite unlike the small, dangerous wooden boats usually used in such crossings. Investigators from the Security Forces confirmed that this belonged to a transport service marketed as a “first-class” option, with a reported price of up to 3,000 euros per passenger. The aim connected to criminal networks trafficking people between Africa and Europe is evident, with the price point doubling the standard rate in many cases, according to law enforcement assessments.
This is not the first instance of a migrant-transport boat with such features being seized in the Balearic Islands. Industry insiders note that at least two similar incidents have occurred in recent years. The most recent prior example was detected in Cala d’Or in February of the previous year, illustrating a recurring pattern in the methods used to move people toward Spain and beyond. The pattern suggests organized groups adapting their operations under the radar of maritime authorities.
The Cabrera sighting reflects a different route from the commonly used pathways for arrivals along the Balearic coast. In the past, crews would abandon the wooden vessels upon reaching land, leaving them as disposable conveyances. By contrast, the current operation appears to rely on larger, more capable crafts—expensive sightseeing boats—that can sustain longer journeys and carry greater passenger loads. This shift has raised suspicions among investigators that criminal networks intend to repurpose such vessels for additional deployments, potentially transporting people again in future voyages to Europe.
Vessels of this class, like the one seen off Cabrera, offer advantages for smuggling operations. They typically feature more robust engines, enhanced navigation systems, and improved onboard communications. Yet these attributes do not lessen the substantial risks associated with crossing roughly 200 miles (over 300 kilometers) from the Algerian coast to Mallorca. In this instance, the boat detected on Wednesday was carrying far more people than its stated capacity, with an overloaded load reported as 37 individuals—mostly young North Africans, described by authorities as financially well-positioned to pay high fares.
Investigators have described the operation as a potential “first-class” service, noting that the price tag of 3,000 euros per passenger is twice the going rate for conventional smuggling routes. The investigation continues to determine the exact business model, the routes used, and the chain of accomplices responsible for orchestrating these departures. The Civil Guard and Maritime Rescue authorities also responded to a second incident later that same evening, assisting twelve people on another small boat located south of Cabrera. Among those aboard were several couples with children and a woman five months pregnant. She was transported to the port of Palma by the Civil Guard for immediate medical attention and assessment, underscoring the human stakes involved in these operations.