Granada arrests expose alleged migrant smuggling involving minor

Spanish authorities in Granada have detained two Moroccan nationals accused of orchestrating an irregular migration scheme involving the abandonment of a 17-year-old boy. Among the suspects is the boy's uncle, who reportedly brought him from Morocco by sea with plans to present him as an unaccompanied minor in order to secure his admission to a youth center.

Alleged scheme uncovered

According to Spanish police and local reports from Viva Sevilla, the suspects, including the boy’s uncle and a family friend, allegedly staged the boy’s abandonment by claiming to have found him wandering the streets of Granada. They attempted to hand him over to authorities at a police station.

The minor initially stayed with his uncle in Spain before being transferred to the family friend, also of Moroccan origin. Investigators believe this was part of an organized plan to have the boy classified as an unaccompanied minor, which would grant him legal protections and access to welfare services.

Parental consent and ongoing investigation

Authorities disclosed that the boy’s parents, who remain in Morocco, had allegedly consented to the arrangement. The uncle admitted to orchestrating the plan in an effort to secure the boy’s entry into Spain’s welfare system. Both suspects have been released pending trial, while investigations continue to uncover further details.

Irregular migration trends in Morocco

This case highlights broader migration challenges tied to Morocco, which serves as a gateway for both sub-Saharan African migrants and Moroccans seeking better opportunities abroad.

Morocco’s Ministry of Interior reported earlier this year that security services thwarted 78,685 irregular migration attempts in 2024. Of those intercepted, 58% were from West Africa, 12% from the Maghreb, and 9% from East and Central Africa.

Additionally, Moroccan authorities dismantled 332 human trafficking networks last year, underscoring the evolving tactics of criminal groups facilitating irregular migration.