Spanish authorities have arrested two suspected human traffickers accused of attempting to smuggle migrants from the North African enclave of Ceuta to mainland Spain using high-speed watercraft.
According to reports, one suspect was arrested after allegedly trying to transport migrants on jet skis, while another was intercepted while piloting a speedboat carrying 11 Moroccan nationals.
The migrants had reportedly entered Ceuta from Morocco earlier in the week during a mass influx that saw about 60,000 people cross into the Spanish territory. The Spanish Civil Guard intercepted the speedboat before it reached mainland Spain and towed the vessel back to port in Ceuta.
Local residents said the person operating the speedboat was under the age of 18. Authorities have not disclosed the identities or nationalities of the two suspects, and it remains unclear whether they have been remanded in custody or released on bail. The sea journey between Ceuta and mainland Spain takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes by jet ski.
Spanish authorities have previously dismantled trafficking networks using jet skis to transport migrants across the Strait of Gibraltar, with officials saying smugglers charge as much as £3,500 per person.
The arrests come amid an unprecedented migration surge that overwhelmed Ceuta, a Spanish enclave with a population of about 84,000. Residents described chaotic scenes as thousands of migrants occupied public spaces across the city.
One business owner told Spanish broadcaster RTVE that authorities were unable to cope with the influx. He said: “They had no capacity to control the chaos and migrants are now bathing in public fountains and sleeping in the streets. It’s like an apocalypse. Waves of people everywhere.” Authorities said at least 72 people died during the mass crossing, with many drowning while attempting the sea journey and others reportedly killed in a stampede near a beach border crossing.
Thousands of children are believed to have been among those who entered Ceuta, with many reportedly encouraged by social media posts claiming they would receive Spanish citizenship if they reached the enclave. Others were seen clinging to trucks as they crossed the border. Spanish officials said more than 49,000 migrants have since returned to Morocco.