Legal

Spain dismantles trafficking network smuggling minors to France via Morocco

Friday 14 November 2025 - 08:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Spain dismantles trafficking network smuggling minors to France via Morocco

Spanish authorities have successfully dismantled an international criminal network trafficking underage migrants from the Canary Islands to France, with key operational links in Morocco. The crackdown, part of "Operation Triton," has led to the arrest of 11 individuals across Spain, including nine in Lanzarote, one in Madrid, and one in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Trafficking network with global reach

The organization utilized logistical bases in Morocco to transport minors to Spain's Canary Islands, where they were processed before being sent to France. Investigators revealed that the network also collaborated with contacts in the Ivory Coast to forge documents, enabling the minors' illicit passage.

The investigation began after the disappearance of 14 minors from care centers in Lanzarote and Gran Canaria between November 2024 and May 2025. Authorities later discovered that the children were being smuggled through mainland Spain to reach France.

Arrests and charges

In May 2025, a key breakthrough occurred when three minors under state guardianship were intercepted at Lanzarote airport while attempting to board a flight to Madrid with a Mauritanian citizen. This led to the arrest of the adult and another individual posing as a minor. Both were charged with document forgery, child abduction, and crimes against the rights of foreign citizens.

The operation culminated in multiple arrests and two house searches in Lanzarote, resulting in the seizure of forged documents, electronic devices, and cash linked to the network. Four suspects face serious charges, including human trafficking, document forgery, and child pornography.

Ongoing investigations and collaboration

Authorities continue to investigate the network’s connections in Morocco and France with the assistance of law enforcement agencies in both countries. Police emphasized the network’s structured roles, which included transportation facilitators in Morocco, document forgers in the Ivory Coast, and coordinators in Spain managing the minors’ movement to France.

The investigation also aims to locate missing minors and determine the network’s ultimate purpose for trafficking the children. Spanish officials have noted that 300 open cases exist for minors who have fled from care centers, though it remains unclear how many are linked to trafficking.

Migration challenges in the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are a major entry point for migrants attempting to reach Europe. Last year, nearly 47,000 migrants arrived in the region, setting a new record. The Spanish government has since intensified border control measures to curb irregular migration.

The dismantling of this trafficking network highlights the ongoing complexities of transnational migration and the exploitation of vulnerable minors. Authorities remain committed to protecting at-risk children and dismantling similar criminal organizations.