A 53-year-old Algerian man has been imprisoned by an Alicante court for his role in a dangerous migrant smuggling operation. The man was arrested by the National Police as the captain of a fishing boat intercepted off the coast of Benidorm last Thursday.
The boat was carrying 60 Algerian migrants, including two women and a 12-year-old girl. The passengers had paid between €1,400 and €2,000 each for the perilous three-day journey, which was further complicated by a boat breakdown.
Enduring Hardship
The two women and the young girl were subjected to particularly harsh conditions, confined to a small, cramped compartment so as to separate them from the male passengers. They endured the stench of fish and fuel, the relentless noise of the engine, and the inability to stand upright. One of the women has filed a complaint with the police regarding the degrading treatment.
Evidence and Arrest
Investigators from the Alicante Police Unit against Immigration Networks and Document Forgery (UCRIF) gathered crucial evidence, including testimonies from two protected witnesses, to identify and arrest the boat captain. The witnesses, who ratified their statements in court, described the harrowing journey and the captain’s role in the operation.
The fishing boat, which departed from an Algerian beach, was overloaded and lacked essential safety equipment like life jackets. The migrants were left to fend for themselves, relying on the meagre food they had brought from Algeria.
This arrest marks the second instance in recent days where a boat captain has been imprisoned in Alicante for migrant smuggling. The authorities are determined to combat these dangerous operations and hold those responsible accountable.
