A European joint operation led by Spanish police and Europol dismantled a large criminal network involved in drug and people smuggling, extortion, violent robberies, money laundering and other crimes, arresting 78 suspects in Spain and Algeria.

The operation spanned 17 locations in Spain, including Alicante, Almería, Cartagena and Murcia, and Europol described the group as evolving into a dual-flow operation to maximise profits with outbound routes from Spain and Portugal to Algeria.

Spain's Guardia Civil dismantled one of the largest human-smuggling rings in the Mediterranean, alleged to have transported over 2,000 migrants to Spain.

Crossings were extremely dangerous, with overcrowded boats, high speeds and rough seas, and some migrants bound during transit.

Migrants were charged up to €12,000 per person, with more than 50 migrants potentially moved in a single trip, boosting migrant-smuggling profits to over €24 million.

Financial records indicate at least 64 trips generated about €24 million in profits, with individual fees up to €12,000.

Estimates show migrant-smuggling profits exceeding €24 million, with the potential to move more than 50 migrants per trip.

Most migrants returned to Morocco, but authorities say between 3,000 and 5,000 remain in the territory of the exclave.

Authorities seized 18 vessels valued up to €5 million, and the group showed violent behavior toward law enforcement during seizures.

Seized items included GPS devices, satellite phones, encrypted communications tools and satellite dishes.

Investigators described violent methods to protect vessels and resist authorities, with evidence of sexual assaults, physical abuse and inhumane housing during trafficking.

Ghost speedboats and rapid sea-to-land transfers were common, with migrants in overcrowded boats under harsh conditions.