Narcoboats ferry drugs and illegal immigrants between Costa Blanca, Algeria

A GANG that used ‘narco-boats’ to transport drugs from the Costa Blanca to Algeria and made the return journey with migrants has been busted by the Policia Nacional and the Tax Agency.

Nine people, mostly Algerians but also some Spanish who helped with the logistics, have been arrested.

Two members of the group have been released on bail while seven others have been charged for a range of crimes, such as drug trafficking and immigration.

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The Alicante gang was equipped with two semi-rigid boats, each measuring seven and half metres. They were also fitted with high-powered motors.

The police seized two vehicles, 26 litres of gasoline, a GPS device, a satellite unit and various mobile devices including bladed weapons, along with the boat.

During the first part of the journey, the organization transported cocaine and synthetic drugs from Costa Blanca up to the coast of Algeria and returned with migrants.

Early this year, the Customs Service spotted one of these boats speeding at high speeds 40 miles or more off the coast of Alicante with no merchandise aboard.

The gang used a number of marinas along the coast.

The crew was under surveillance for several weeks before the two ships set sail for Algeria on 7 April.

Customs and Policia Nacional were waiting for their return to Spain. The following day, 22 Algerians immigrants were arrested after they disembarked at a beach near Cartagena in Murcia.

The migrants were charged between €6,000 and €10,000 for the trip.

The Spanish owner, who arrived on the scene, and the captain, an Algerian were also arrested.

Algerian authorities seized the second boat.

The second phase of this operation saw the arrest of other members of the gang, including their leader, who is of Algerian descent.

Operation is ongoing and additional arrests are possible.