Spanish Police Break Up International Child Trafficking Network to France

Spanish authorities announced on Thursday the dismantling of an international child trafficking network that operated between the Canary Islands and France. The operation, which spanned Lanzarote, Madrid, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, led to the arrest of 11 individuals.

Four of the suspects have been placed in preventive custody on charges including organized crime, document forgery, and child exploitation related to pornography.

The investigation was initiated following the disappearance of 14 minors from state facilities in the Canary Islands between late 2024 and mid-2025. Authorities confirmed that the network exploited its connections and routes through Morocco, Ivory Coast, and Spain to transport the children, providing them with forged documents for their trafficking to France.

The security operation included raids on two residences in Lanzarote, where officials seized personal documents, electronic devices, and cash. Investigators are continuing efforts to locate the missing minors and uncover the international links of the organization.

A criminal law expert described the operation as "a significant blow against transnational crime," emphasizing that its success underscores the importance of international cooperation in combating child trafficking and protecting minors.