A 51-year-old man, identified as the leader of a criminal organisation responsible for smuggling thousands of migrants, has been extradited to Gran Canaria from Mauritania.
The National Police have confirmed that the suspect faced an International Arrest Warrant (OID) for crimes against the rights of foreign nationals and membership of a criminal organisation.
The extradition took place on 18th February at Gran Canaria Airport following an Extradition Order issued by the Investigating Court Number One of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in coordination with the Foreigners' Prosecution Office.
A Trafficking Network Responsible for Hundreds of Deaths
Police investigations, which began in 2021, have linked the criminal network to at least 73 boats that transported 3,594 migrants from El Aaiún (Morocco) to the Canary Islands, mainly Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura. Tragically, at least 180 people lost their lives or went missing at sea during these perilous crossings.
The trafficking ring was based in El Aaiún, Morocco, where it orchestrated the planning of routes and logistics. The extradited suspect was primarily responsible for recruiting migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, offering them passage to Mauritania using forged documents that allowed them to cross borders en route to Europe, charging them up to €15,000 per person.
Violence and Coercion
Reports from survivors who reached the Canary Islands revealed that the organisation used violence, coercion, and even kidnappings to extort additional payments. Some migrants recounted being physically assaulted, while others described instances of firearms being used to intimidate them.
Arrest and Extradition
The fugitive was arrested in Mauritania on 9th August 2024 after being located by authorities following Spain’s International Arrest Warrant. He was held in prison pending extradition.
Upon arrival in Gran Canaria, he was placed under judicial custody, with a judge ordering preventive detention while legal proceedings continue.
The Spanish National Police have confirmed that the investigation remains open and that efforts are underway to apprehend other members of the criminal network who are still at large under International Arrest Warrants.
