It allegedly facilitated the clandestine entry into Spain of at least 40 people in exchange for 3,000 euros
14ymedio/EFE, Málaga, May 27, 2026 — The Spanish Police, with the collaboration of Europol and the Serbian Police, dismantled an international network operating in Spain and Serbia that was allegedly dedicated to trafficking people from Cuba, an operation that resulted in eight arrests.
The migrants, some with minors in their care, flew to Belgrade and from there were transported by vehicle to Spain, passing through North Macedonia, Greece, Italy, and France, according to information released this Wednesday by the Police.
The organization allegedly facilitated the clandestine entry into Spain of at least 40 Cuban nationals in exchange for amounts close to 3,000 euros.
Seven people were arrested in the province of Málaga and the eighth was arrested in Zamora
Seven people were arrested in the province of Málaga and the eighth was arrested in Zamora; among those arrested are two of the alleged leaders of the organization.
According to the investigation, the criminal network recruited Cuban citizens by offering them a package called a “travel bundle,” which included airline tickets, invitation letters, medical insurance, and hotel reservations.
Upon arriving in Spain, the objective was to settle there and request international protection, “evading European and Spanish regulations” regarding the entry, transit, and stay of foreigners.
Investigators confirmed that the criminal network took advantage of the migrants’ vulnerable situation.
After a difficult journey, the branch of the network established in Spain transported the migrants mainly to the province of Málaga, where they were instructed on how to regularize their status in Spain.
Before applying for international protection, they reported their passports as lost
Before applying for international protection, they reported their passports as lost, with the aim of leaving no record of the migration route followed and preventing authorities from verifying their irregular entry into Europe through the stamps placed in their documents upon arrival in Serbia, which could lead to the blocking of any application for international protection in Spain.
After obtaining new passports, during asylum and refugee application interviews the migrants claimed they had only recently arrived in Spanish territory, which allowed them to qualify for that protection.
Agents documented 27 incidents of facilitating illegal immigration through this modus operandi since 2021, through which at least 40 people of Cuban origin allegedly entered Spain irregularly.
Payments were made to Spanish and foreign accounts through money transfer companies, apps, and cryptocurrencies, which prevented the tracking and monitoring of the amounts.
In the investigation, 2,252 money transfers of 380,775 euros by the suspects based in Spain were analyzed.
The investigation remains open and further arrests are not ruled out.
Translated by Regina Anavy
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