Spanish police dismantle Dominican migrant smuggling ring

Spanish National Police have dismantled a criminal organization in Sabadell that facilitated the irregular entry of Dominican migrants into Europe. Four individuals, including the gang leader, were arrested.

The group utilized fraudulent or fake Colombian passports to bypass Schengen area visa requirements. The criminal route typically began in the Dominican Republic and moved through Colombia, Peru, and Brazil, with air travel destinations primarily in France.

In one method, migrants traveled to Colombia where they exploited local laws allowing adults to claim Colombian birth via witnesses to obtain identity cards and passports. In other instances, members of the organization based in Peru provided accommodation and documentation to help migrants evade visa controls. The investigation was conducted in collaboration with AMERIPOL.