Agents of the Provincial Brigade of Las Palmas of Immigration and Borders of the National Police have arrested two people as allegedly responsible for the death of a migrant that occurred during the crossing of an irregular vessel that arrived on the coasts of the Canary Islands last May.
The investigation began on May 9, 2026, following the arrival of an inflatable boat in Gran Canaria. The boat had been rescued by Maritime Rescue and taken to the port of Arguineguín with a total of 62 occupants on board.
As reported by the National Police, from the outset, investigators carried out actions aimed at identifying the members of the criminal organization responsible for the crossing and determining whether any criminal acts, disappearances, or deaths had occurred during the journey.
Days later, the National Police became aware of the disappearance of one of the boat's occupants, following a report filed by a relative of the victim. The investigation proved particularly complex due to the initial lack of cooperation from several witnesses, motivated by fear of possible reprisals.
The work carried out by the agents made it possible to gather sufficient testimonies and evidence to clarify what happened. The investigation determined that the death occurred after an argument on board between the victim and another couple of occupants. As a consequence of the altercation, the migrant fell into the sea, and the boat continued its journey without any maneuver being made to assist him.
As a result of the investigations, on May 29, two individuals were arrested for their alleged participation in the events. One of them, identified as the boat's captain and linked to the criminal organization that managed the crossing, was arrested as the alleged perpetrator of the crimes of facilitating irregular immigration and homicide. The second was arrested as the alleged perpetrator of a homicide offense.
The detainees were placed at the disposal of the competent judicial authority, which continued with the corresponding proceedings.
With these arrests, the number of alleged individuals responsible for irregular vessels arrested by the Immigration and Borders units of the National Police in the province of Las Palmas during the year 2026 rises to thirteen.
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