Forty illegal immigrants of sub-Saharan origin, including a pregnant woman, were intercepted on Tuesday about two miles east of the Isla de Alborán.
The authorities were alerted to the situation through a telephone call from Morocco saying the small boat had set off for Spain and a search, involving boats and planes, was launched.
Once located, the small boat was intercepted and the passengers taken to Almeria port where the Red Cross and National Police were ready and waiting.