On August 17, 2025, Senegalese authorities intercepted 31 individuals attempting to reach Europe illegally by sea, highlighting both the transnational scale of human smuggling networks and the growing vigilance of security forces along the Atlantic coast.
The operation was carried out in the Saly Residence neighborhood by the Mbour Research Brigade, supported by a platoon from the Surveillance and Intervention Squadron (ESI).
Colonel Ibrahima Ndiaye, communications officer for the National Gendarmerie, explained that the intervention was based on prior intelligence aimed at preventing a departure along the perilous route to Spain, often attempted in makeshift canoes.
The arrested individuals came from a range of countries, illustrating the international reach of smuggling networks. Among those detained were five Senegalese, seven Ivorians, fourteen Guineans—including six women and a four-year-old child—four Cameroonians, and one Togolese.
“This national diversity demonstrates how smuggling networks recruit across borders, complicating their dismantling,” Colonel Ndiaye noted.
The arrests occurred amid intensified security measures along Senegal’s Atlantic coastline. Authorities have strengthened cooperation with European partners to regulate migration and combat human trafficking.
Officials continue to emphasize that these maritime crossings are extremely dangerous, often taking place in unseaworthy vessels that put lives at serious risk.
The Gendarmerie also reiterated the importance of civic vigilance, urging local residents to report any suspicious activity linked to irregular migration. Community-based reporting, combined with economic support programs and public awareness campaigns, forms a key part of Senegal’s strategy to curb illegal departures.
Those apprehended are now in custody and will be questioned in the coming days to establish individual responsibilities and identify potential organizers of the smuggling operation.
Security officials stress that continued regional cooperation and proactive intelligence gathering remain essential to preventing further loss of life among would-be migrants.
The Saly arrests underscore the persistent challenges faced by Senegal and its neighbors in managing migration flows while protecting vulnerable populations from the dangers of illegal maritime travel.
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