Man arrested in Ceuta over alleged exploitation of 74 migrants found crammed into a house
The property, in a hard-to-reach area, is the largest of its kind found so far
Spain’s National Police have arrested a Ceuta resident over his alleged connection to a house in the El Príncipe neighbourhood where 74 migrants were found crammed together.
They included 54 men, 10 women and 10 unaccompanied minors. According to El Faro de Ceuta, they had all arrived in the city irregularly.
The operation, carried out by the UCRIF unit, resulted in one arrest. Police consider the man the alleged main figure in a criminal organisation involved in facilitating irregular migration and other offences. He is suspected of offences against workers’ rights, assault and the labour exploitation of minors.
Police investigate assaults and labour exploitation
Police have gathered evidence suggesting that some of the minors at the property may have suffered physical assaults, including dog bites.
Officers are also investigating whether adults and minors were made to carry out various tasks and jobs, exploiting their need and vulnerability.
The property, in a hard-to-reach area, is the largest of its kind found so far, according to Ceuta’s Police Headquarters. The operation required a large police deployment and was complicated by the terrain and the danger attributed to the group under investigation.
The operation is believed to have dealt a blow to the organisation’s logistics. Police say the migrants were being kept at the property while arrangements were made for their irregular transfer to mainland Spain.
The investigation involved police units from the Andalusian coast and central units, as well as the specialist prosecutor’s office for combating migrant smuggling.
Migrants taken to the CATE for identification
Police say the operation took place amid increased policing in the city and the clearance of settlements on Benítez and El Trampolín beaches. According to police, after some people living there were moved on, some relocated to other parts of Ceuta, including El Príncipe.
After the operation, the migrants were taken to the Temporary Stay Centre for Immigrants (CATE) to be identified. They were then moved to the tents at Loma Colmenar, where they will remain while their cases are processed.
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