August 5,2025
RED FM News Desk
Spanish police have announced the dismantling of a criminal network that facilitated illegal travel to Canada and the U.K. using forged passports and travel documents.
According to a press release from Spain’s National Police, the smuggling ring primarily targeted Yemeni nationals and was linked to over 40 attempted illegal migrations. Each migrant was reportedly charged up to $4,400.
The investigation began in September 2024 after the Canada Border Services Agency alerted Spanish authorities about several Yemeni citizens attempting to travel to Canada from Spanish airports using fake documents. So far, 11 individuals have been arrested across various parts of Spain, including the suspected ringleader.
The operation was conducted in coordination with Europol and law enforcement agencies from Switzerland, Finland, Austria, Germany, Ireland, and the U.K.
Police say the scheme involved migrants first obtaining refugee documents in Greece, then traveling to European airports. There, while in the international transit zone, they were allegedly provided with counterfeit passports and boarding passes by members of the network.
Raids were carried out in Madrid and the northern towns of Santoña and Torrelavega, resulting in the seizure of 10 mobile phones, a forged passport, and documents related to flight bookings.
The investigation is still ongoing, authorities said.
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