# Dominican migrant smuggling ring in Spain

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/dominican-migrant-smuggling-ring-in-spain
> Updated: 2026-10-16T21:47:00.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 2.

Spanish National Police dismantled a criminal organization in Sabadell that facilitated the irregular entry of Dominican migrants into Europe. The group utilized fraudulent or fake Colombian passports to bypass Schengen area visa requirements.

The smuggling route typically originated in the Dominican Republic and moved through Colombia, Peru, and Brazil, with air travel destinations primarily in France. In some instances, migrants traveled to Colombia to exploit local laws regarding birth claims to obtain identity documents. Other members based in Peru provided accommodation and documentation to assist migrants in evading visa controls. Four individuals, including the gang leader, were arrested during the operation, which was conducted in collaboration with AMERIPOL.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-16: Police crack down on electronic fraud in Spain and Dominican Republic

Police in Spain and the Dominican Republic have arrested several suspects and recovered funds following various electronic fraud, spoofing, and identity theft schemes.

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/police-in-wilde-arrest-two-suspects-for-drug-trafficking

### 2026-10-14: Spanish police dismantle Dominican migrant smuggling ring

Spanish police dismantled a criminal network in Sabadell that used fraudulent Colombian passports to smuggle Dominican migrants into Europe via South American transit routes.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-police-dismantle-dominican-migrant-smuggling-ring

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Cite as: Dominican migrant smuggling ring in Spain. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/dominican-migrant-smuggling-ring-in-spain