At least 10 people with records linked to jihadist terrorism have been identified among the 70,000-plus migrants who entered Ceuta at the end of July.
According to the SUP police trade union (Sindicato Unificado de Policia), the real number could be higher as identification checks remain ongoing.
It made the claim on Monday as it called on the Interior Ministry to accelerate efforts to conduct background checks on people who entered the Spanish enclave on July 30 and 31.
More than 70,000 people stormed the border between Morocco and Spain over the two days. While most have returned, around 5,000 still remain, including 1,200 minors.
‘More than ten people have already been identified who have records, alerts or profiles of interest related to jihadist radicalism,’ the union said.
According to the SUP, two of the individuals identified have already been expelled from Spain.
The claims have not been accompanied by a detailed breakdown from the Interior Ministry of the individuals concerned or the precise nature of their alleged records or alerts.
The union stressed that carrying out identification checks was not merely an administrative exercise but a matter of national security.
It called for maximum coordination between the Policia Nacional, Guardia Civil and Spain’s specialist intelligence and information services, as well as access to national and international databases needed to conduct comprehensive checks.
‘The simultaneous entry of thousands of people made it impossible to carry out the individualised border checks that take place under ordinary circumstances,’ the SUP said.
‘Now the State has an obligation to complete that work as quickly as possible and with all the necessary human and technological resources.’
The union insisted that its warning should not be interpreted as an attempt to suggest that the wider migrant population posed a security threat.
‘This is not about generating alarm, but preventing it,’ the SUP said. ‘What would be irresponsible would be to know these facts and look the other way.’
It is demanding greater transparency from the Interior Ministry, including figures showing how many people of security interest have been detected, how many remain in Spain and how many have been returned or expelled.
The SUP concluded: ‘National security does not allow for improvisation. Ensuring that everyone is fully identified and checking their backgrounds must be an absolute priority for Spain’s security.’
