Fifty held in alleged migrant entry network probe

Mossos d’Esquadra have arrested 50 people in Barcelona and other towns across Catalonia in their biggest investigation yet into alleged irregular migrant entry, police said on Saturday.

The force said the network is suspected of making more than €3.2 million by arranging fake work contracts and using them to help migrants regularise their status in Spain.

Arrests across Barcelona area

The arrests took place during two phases on 26 and 27 October, with officers from the criminal investigation division leading the operation. Most of the detentions were made in Barcelona, l’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Badalona, Santa Coloma de Gramenet and Sant Adrià de Besòs, as well as Sabadell, Terrassa, Vic, Sant Boi de Llobregat and Sant Vicenç dels Horts.

According to the investigation, the suspects include seven alleged members of the criminal group and 43 business owners said to have been linked to the fraudulent paperwork. Three of the alleged core members have been remanded in custody.

How the alleged fraud worked

Police said the group targeted Pakistani nationals who wanted residence and work permits in Spain. Investigators believe the organisation then arranged sham employment contracts to create the appearance of legitimate jobs.

Officials said the alleged victims were charged up to €30,000 for the documents and the supposed job offers. In some cases, they later ended up working in conditions close to labour exploitation, according to the police account.

The Mossos said the inquiry is still open and further arrests are not ruled out. The case is being overseen by Barcelona’s court instruction service and the city’s anti-trafficking and immigration prosecution office.

The force described it as its largest operation so far in the field of irregular immigration.