Some migrants were working according to a “well-established logistical structure” during the influx that saw more than 70,000 migrants enter Ceuta on July 30 and 31. This is confirmed by the Spanish intelligence services in their latest report sent to the court charged with investigating the events of late last July.
According to the Spanish newspaper El Independiente, the National Intelligence Center (CNI) explicitly states that this “structure” included “a network of facilitators providing seasonal rentals in the city of Fnideq, M’diq, Martil and Tetouan,” in addition to “the use of jet skis and fishing boats for transportation from the coast of Fnideq to the Sarjal area (east of the enclave) in Ceuta.”
According to Spanish intelligence, the migrants not only arrived in Ceuta by swimming, but it is estimated that a support network and material means were recruited to facilitate the journeys from northern Morocco. To highlight this point, the judge in charge of investigating the influx of migrants requested the identification of a man named “Ahmed”, a resident of Ceuta and a police informant.
According to the National Intelligence Center’s investigation, Ahmed had provided information about “unusual movements in Fnideq” and gatherings inside Moroccan territory.
'An unusual situation was developing'
In the same report, the National Intelligence Center notes that the Moroccan authorities knew in advance that the mass arrival of migrants in Ceuta on July 30 and 31 was being prepared, and that they “were fully aware that this influx would occur.” The center confirms that this was "several days before the mass influx of migrants."
According to the report, Morocco noted “that an unusual situation was developing regarding possible attempts at irregular entry into Ceuta” and decided to “strengthen existing security measures.” However, the National Intelligence Center asserts that “in practice, their (the Spanish side’s) involvement in preventing and managing the crisis has been very inconsistent.”
Spanish intelligence confirms that even on the eve of the mass arrival of migrants, the Moroccans showed a degree of initiative and proactiveness by intercepting swimmers. On the other hand, when the flow began to intensify, information was received about an insufficient deployment of security forces.
Finally, warnings were also issued from the Spanish side, as security personnel conveyed through various channels, including the government delegation in Ceuta, the Civil Guard, and the police, that intense calls were being made on social media networks with the aim of entering the Spanish enclave. This is information that was previously revealed when the documents were declassified by the government on September 9, according to El País newspaper.
New dismantling operations
The situation remains tense inside the Ceuta enclave. Although all the camps set up on the beaches have been dismantled, police operations continue, this time targeting smaller concentrations of migrants.
For example, the migrant camp located in a warehouse area near the border with Morocco was dismantled. According to the Europa Press agency, the Prime Minister of Ceuta believes that a total of 500 migrants were evacuated from the surrounding areas during an operation in which more than 350 personnel participated on Sunday, October 18.
Even today, nearly three months into the crisis, the authorities have difficulty knowing how many migrants remain on their territory. The President of Ceuta said on Monday, October 19, that he estimates the number of migrants remaining in Ceuta at “15,000,” based on water consumption, “which has increased by 20% compared to the same month in 2025.”
The official also criticized the government for not providing this figure, commenting at the conclusion of his speech, "It is very dangerous that three months after the invasion, we still do not know how many people remain in Ceuta."
