The Civil Guard dismantled a network alleged to facilitate the irregular entry of Algerian citizens into southeast Spain. The operation, which remains active, has led to the arrest of 11 people on charges including false denunciation and membership in a criminal organization, with alleged involvement in crimes affecting the rights of foreign nationals. The primary suspect, identified as the group’s leader, was remanded in prison.
The operation, named “coat rack,” began as part of investigations by the Civil Guard to dismantle criminal groups seeking to smuggle non-EU citizens into Spain along the southeast coastline. Benemérita sources confirmed the initiation of the case and outlined its ongoing nature as investigators pursue further lines of inquiry.
Since 2021, authorities have tracked an Algerian individual linked to this criminal activity, aiming to streamline logistics and strengthen the personnel framework needed to facilitate irregular entries from the coasts of Murcia and Almería.
Multiple Departures from Algeria and the Risk to Coastal Security
The core modus operandi involved what is locally known as taxi boats. These are high-horsepower semi-rigid boats used to transport migrants, often deploying several launches from the Algerian coast in a coordinated fashion. The objective was to overwhelm the Civil Guard Maritime Service by increasing the tempo of departures, thereby enlarging the pool of boats and people reaching Spanish waters in a single period.
On arrival in Spain, the network established a logistics arm that supplied fuel and protection for boat operators once migrants landed on national soil. Investigators suspect the group maintained international ties, including potential exchanges with actors in France and Belgium for the acquisition of high-powered vessels.
In August, after months of intensive investigations, the Civil Guard interrupted activities at La Azohía beach. A semi-rigid boat equipped with a 250 horsepower engine was launched in the Cartagena area, drawing immediate attention from local authorities and triggering new lines of inquiry.
During the course of the investigation, authorities identified and detained 11 individuals of Algerian, Moroccan, and Spanish nationality. The arrests spanned the provinces of Alicante, Murcia, and Almería, and the suspects ranged in age from 30 to 55 years old.
Evidence seized at the sites included three semi-rigid boats, 250 liters of fuel, two off-road vehicles, 3,000 euros in cash, and multiple mobile devices. The confiscated items are intended to support judicial proceedings and further inquiries into the network’s operations.
Operation “Perchero” is coordinated by the Civil Guard Information Headquarters, with support from the Information Groups in Almería, Alicante, and Murcia. As investigations continue, the authorities remain vigilant for additional arrest warrants and new developments in the case.
While the detainees, seized assets, and procedural steps have been handed over to the judicial authorities, the central leader of the organization has been placed in temporary detention. Investigations continue, and authorities do not rule out new arrests as lines of inquiry expand.
For context, the case illustrates how criminal groups exploit maritime routes to move people into Europe, posing challenges to border control and public safety. The Civil Guard emphasizes that all actions are directed toward dismantling networks that threaten the integrity of immigration processes and the safety of both migrants and coastal communities. The ongoing inquiry aims to uncover the full extent of the organization’s structure, its financing channels, and its international connections, with further disclosures expected as the investigation unfolds. Source: Civil Guard press materials