This security intervention led to the arrest of 13 people, including the suspects allegedly involved in the organization and mediation of this operation, in addition to would-be illegal immigrants who paid sums of money in return for the services of this criminal network, National Police (DGSN) said in a statement.

Searches carried out by elements of the judicial police led to the seizure of logistical equipment, including a car, an inflatable boat, 10 life jackets, 13 jerry cans containing 390 liters of fuel, knives and air pumps, as well as food and bags containing clothes belonging to these would-be immigrants, and sums of money suspected of coming from this criminal activity, the statement added.

The organizers of this operation and the candidates for illegal immigration were subjected to the procedures of the judicial inquiry, carried out under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor's office, in order to identify all the people involved in this criminal network and to determine the ramifications and possible links of this network on a national and international scale, the source points out.

The abortion of this illegal immigration operation is part of the intense and sustained efforts made by security services to fight against illegal immigration and human trafficking networks.