The operation, carried out by Spanish National Police, working closely with the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office in Germany and supported by Europol, have conducted arrests across several Spanish cities.
No fewer than 34 suspected members of the notorious international criminal organisation, Black Axe have been reportedly arrested, in a sweeping operation that dealt a major blow to the group’s activities across Europe.
The operation, carried out by Spanish National Police, working closely with the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office in Germany and supported by Europol, have conducted arrests across several Spanish cities.
It targeted what investigators described as the “core leadership” of the syndicate, which has its roots in Nigeria and operates in dozens of countries worldwide. Of those arrested, at least 10 are Nigerian nationals.
Police said the majority of the arrests—28—were made in Seville, while three suspects were apprehended in Madrid, two in Málaga and one in Barcelona. Authorities believe the suspects are responsible for fraud-related crimes that caused financial losses exceeding €5.93 million.
During coordinated raids, investigators froze €119,352 in bank accounts and seized an additional €66,403 in cash from homes linked to the suspects.
Black Axe, formally associated with the Neo-Black Movement of Africa, is widely regarded by European law enforcement as one of the most dangerous and sophisticated transnational criminal organisations. The group is involved in a wide range of crimes, including cyber-enabled fraud, drug trafficking, human trafficking and prostitution, kidnapping, armed robbery and so-called fraudulent spiritual practices.
According to investigators, the organisation generates billions of euros annually through numerous small-scale operations which, when combined, cause massive economic and social damage across borders.
As part of the investigation, Spanish and German authorities engaged in extensive intelligence sharing and joint operational planning. Two German officers were deployed on the ground in Spain during the action day, while Spanish investigators received analytical and operational support from their German counterparts.
The police disclosed that the network systematically recruits “money mules” from impoverished communities with high unemployment rates, exploiting mostly Spanish nationals to move illicit funds and shield the core leadership from direct exposure.
Europol played a central role in the operation, providing intelligence analysis, hosting a data sprint in Madrid, and offering real-time support during arrests. The agency said it has been instrumental in mapping Black Axe’s structure across multiple countries, centralising intelligence and helping national authorities connect what often appear to be isolated, low-level crimes.
“This approach is crucial in dismantling criminal networks whose activities are spread across borders and disguised as ordinary local offences,” Europol said.
Background information released by Europol shows that Black Axe operates through a rigid hierarchical system, dividing its territory into about 60 zones within Nigeria and 35 zones abroad, each with roughly 200 members. Law enforcement estimates place the group’s registered membership at around 30,000, with countless additional associates, facilitators and money mules.
The group is also known for enforcing strict internal discipline, violent and ritualistic initiation processes, and the use of spiritual practices to maintain loyalty and secrecy.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing and further arrests and asset seizures may follow as European law enforcement agencies intensify efforts to dismantle the group’s international networks.