Spanish Civil Guard dismantles car smuggling network from Morocco to Algeria

Spain’s Civil Guard in Alicante has dismantled a network accused of exporting stolen vehicles from Morocco to Algeria using forged documents. The cars were reportedly first brought into Europe, where their paperwork was falsified to present them as European-registered vehicles before being resold.

The investigation began on November 19 at the port of Alicante, after authorities detected an unusual increase in vehicles bearing temporary license plates bound for Algeria. Further inquiries uncovered inconsistencies in the documentation and tracing of the cars.

Investigators determined that the network used forged invoices and official certificates to conceal the true origin of the vehicles.

The operation led to the seizure of seven cars before they could be shipped and the arrest of six suspects, aged between 32 and 45, on suspicion of document forgery. The vehicles will be returned to their rightful owners.