The Spanish National Police discovered over 70 undocumented migrants, including ten minors, in a residential property in the Ceuta area. According to authorities, the individuals were held in overcrowded and unstable conditions.
In a statement published on Thursday, Spanish authorities reported that 74 people in an irregular situation, including 10 minors, were found on Tuesday, October 20, in overcrowded and unstable conditions.
During the operation, a Ceuta citizen was detained on suspicion of being the 'main person responsible for the criminal organization allegedly involved in facilitating immigration and other illegal activities.' The investigation relates to 'alleged crimes of immigration facilitation, violation of workers' rights, infringement of physical integrity, and labor exploitation of minors.'
There are suspicions that some of the minors residing in the premises 'may have been victims of physical violence, including injuries caused by dog bites.' The National Police added that authorities are also investigating possible labor exploitation of both minors and adults who were used to perform various tasks and jobs, taking advantage of their vulnerable position and need.
A total of 54 men, 10 women, and 10 unaccompanied minors were found, making up 'a total of 74 people residing at the investigated location.'
It should be noted that between July 30 and 31, more than 70,000 people illegally entered the Spanish city, which Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called an attack and a violation of Spain's territorial integrity on those days. Tens of thousands of people left Ceuta almost immediately afterward, but according to official data and estimates, at least 10,000 adults and 2,400 unaccompanied minors remained in the city.
The government expects to stabilize the situation in Ceuta by the end of the year and hopes that the first deportation orders will soon begin to be issued, mainly to Morocco, in accordance with the protocols established by the European Pact on Migration and Asylum, which came into force in June. It is expected that the vast majority of adults will be deported.
