As Tabaski approaches, the Ziguinchor regional branch of the National Division for Combating Migrant Smuggling has dismantled an organized trafficking network operating between Senegal, The Gambia, and Spain. Two members of the network have been brought before the public prosecutor at the Ziguinchor High Court.

The Ziguinchor regional office of the National Directorate for the Fight Against Terrorism (DNLT) received an anonymous tip indicating the imminent preparation of a clandestine sea voyage to Spain, planned for the approach of the Tabaski festival. The ensuing investigations revealed the existence of a structured network operating simultaneously in Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea-Conakry.

At the head of this organization is Babacar Thior, based in Spain. From abroad, he oversees the overall coordination of operations, the recruitment of candidates for departure, and the financial control of the network through his local contacts.

At the operational level, three collaborators were identified. Malick Mané was responsible for recruiting candidates in Senegal and collecting payments, which he then handed over in cash to A. Diop, in accordance with Babacar Thior's instructions. Thior handled logistical and financial coordination within Senegal, including managing the collected funds and overseeing the pirogue for the crossing. Ousmane Sarr, from Gambia, served as the pirogue's captain and recruited crew members.

To avoid arousing suspicion, the network adopted a discreet modus operandi: migrants were gradually transported to The Gambia to prevent any mass gatherings in Senegal that might attract the attention of the local population or security forces. The price of passage was set at 400,000 CFA francs per person. Approximately 150 people were expected to make the crossing from The Gambia.

The accused also admitted to having organized a previous clandestine trip departing from Kafountine, which failed due to mechanical failure and poor weather conditions. This revelation confirms the repeated nature of the network's activities.

Two arrests, two fugitives

Investigators arrested Malick Mané and Ousmane Sarr in Séléty. Confronted with the evidence, the two men confessed and confirmed the existence of the network coordinated from Spain by Babacar Thior. When questioned about the total amount of funds collected from migrants, they claimed they could not specify the total, citing a gradual collection process without centralized accounting. They explained that part of the funds had been used to purchase and maintain the pirogue and other crossing equipment, with the remainder staying in the hands of Arona Diop and Babacar Thior.

At this stage, Babacar Thior is believed to still be in Spain, while A. Diop is on the run. Diop is thought to be the only one who knows the exact location of the pirogue and the equipment used for the clandestine crossing. The search continues actively for their arrest.

At the end of the investigation, Malick Mané and Ousmane Sarr were brought before the public prosecutor at the High Court of Ziguinchor for criminal association, attempted migrant smuggling by sea, complicity, endangering the lives of others and organized fraud.