VIDEO: Spain dismantles network accused of trafficking Dominicans into Europe with fraudulent Colombian passports

Spain’s National Police have dismantled a criminal organization accused of facilitating the irregular entry of Dominican migrants into Europe using fraudulent Colombian passports. Four people were arrested in Sabadell, near Barcelona, including the alleged leader of the network, authorities said Wednesday.

According to police, the group used forged or fraudulently obtained Colombian passports to bypass visa requirements for travel within the Schengen Area. Members allegedly coordinated trips, provided fraudulent documents and instructed migrants on how to pass through border controls.

The route began in the Dominican Republic and passed mainly through Colombia, Peru and Brazil, before migrants traveled by air, primarily to France. The investigation began in November 2025 after authorities detected Dominican nationals attempting to enter Europe using Colombian passports obtained fraudulently.

How the alleged scheme worked

In some cases, migrants traveled from the Dominican Republic to Colombia, where they allegedly obtained Colombian identity documents and passports through fraudulent declarations of birthplace. Investigators said the scheme exploited procedures that allowed adults to appear before the Civil Registry with two witnesses and declare that they had been born in Colombia.

In other cases, migrants traveled to Peru, where members of the organization allegedly provided accommodation and documents to help them avoid the Schengen visa requirements applicable to Dominican citizens.

The investigation involved cooperation with AMERIPOL, the Community of American Police Forces. Spanish authorities identified members of the alleged network residing in Spain, leading to the arrests. Police have not provided further details about the identities of those detained.