The Tanaff gendarmerie brigade, in the Sédhiou region, arrested Yaya Diamanka, a suspected organizer of clandestine trips to Spain. This followed a complaint from Mr. Sarr, a prospective emigrant abandoned on a beach after the intervention of Gambian security forces, which caused the smuggler to leave in a canoe with around fifty migrants.

The police investigations revealed the extent of Diamanka's activities, and three other victims came forward to the brigade. These are Mr. Guèye, who claims to have paid the sum of 500,000 CFA francs, A. Mbodj 400,000 CFA francs, and Mr. Diop 400,000 CFA francs. A total of 1.3 million CFA francs. These victims all handed over these sums to Diamanka in exchange for the promise of a sea trip to Spain.

Damning evidence seized

Investigators also confiscated several incriminating items, including the suspect's Samsung phone for exploitation, a USB key containing the accused's full confession, audio recordings in which Diamanka explains his involvement in illegal immigration from Gambia, and a video showing him in "marabout mode" in his room at the home of his Gambian accomplices, in the village of Tadième, Gambia.

Cross-border network partially dismantled

The investigation, conducted in collaboration with the Ziguinchor research unit, uncovered a network spanning Senegal and Gambia. Diamanka operated from Gambia, where he resided with his Gambian accomplices Sambou and Ousmane, according to Seneweb sources close to the prosecutor's office. Six other accomplices in the network are actively sought by the gendarmes.

Meanwhile, Yaya Diamanka is being prosecuted for migrant smuggling, human trafficking, criminal conspiracy, and endangering the lives of others. These offenses are punishable under Law 2005-06 of 10 May 2006 on human trafficking and the protection of victims, as well as Articles 238, 239, and 307 of the Criminal Code.

The suspect was brought before the public prosecutor at the Sédhiou High Court on September 1, 2025, at 10 a.m.