The national police dismantled a migrant smuggling network following the grounding of a pirogue carrying around one hundred people on the coast of Mbour on December 18, 2025. Five individuals were brought before the Financial Prosecutor for criminal association, migrant smuggling and endangering the lives of others.

The suspicious grounding of a pirogue in Mbour

A source wishing to remain anonymous informed the police of the irregular landing, or even the deliberate grounding, of a pirogue at the Mbour golf course, on December 18, 2025.

The vessel is likely to have originated in Guinea-Conakry.

According to information gathered and corroborated, upon the arrival of the pirogue on the shore, the migrants on board, as well as the captains, immediately fled, abandoning the boat. It was also reported that local residents seized some equipment, including outboard motors and jerrycans of fuel.

The investigation established that the pirogue in question is registered in the name of "S. Sonko", registration number ZG-4521-ZG. However, it was revealed that it actually belongs to B. Barro, a fisherman based in Ziguinchor.

The latter is presented as the individual who orchestrated the entire operation from Ziguinchor. He allegedly organized the clandestine journey in collaboration with his brothers I. Barro, M. Loum, M. Sao, and M. Sao, as well as an individual residing in Conakry named A. Kamsar. The final destination of the journey was Spain.

The arrest of the suspects

Following the investigation, B. Barro and his brothers M. Loum, M. Sao, and M. Sao were arrested in Ziguinchor. Only I. Barro has not been arrested at this stage of the proceedings.

When questioned about the events, they unanimously acknowledged their involvement and confirmed that they had boarded the pirogue which left Ziguinchor bound for Conakry.

The confession of the main organizer

When questioned, B. Barro confirmed that he owned the pirogue in question and partially admitted his involvement in the clandestine voyage. He stated that his role was limited to transporting the pirogue from Ziguinchor to Conakry without official authorization, deliberately circumventing legal channels.

He specified that on board were approximately 2,000 liters of fuel, a 60-horsepower Yamaha engine, and two candidates from Touba, who had boarded at the request of his associate, A. Kamsar. He indicated that he had made the journey in the company of his four brothers: I. Barro, M. Loum, M. Sao, and M. Sao, according to Seneweb sources.

According to his statements, upon arriving in Conakry, he handed the pirogue over to A. Kamsar, the main organizer of the voyage, and withdrew from the operation. His brothers continued the journey with A. Kamsar's agreement, who justified their remaining on board by their status as fishermen, in order to assist the captains for the remainder of the clandestine voyage.

B. Barro attempted to absolve himself of all responsibility by placing the entire blame for the operation on A. Kamsar, whom he presented as the mastermind of the clandestine voyage. He maintained that his role was limited to handing over the canoe to A. Kamsar.

On the financial side, B. Barro stated that the receipt of funds was ensured by A.Kamsar, claiming not to have received any sum and to be unaware of the amounts paid by the candidates.

The statements of the co-defendants

B. Barro's three brothers confirmed the events as described by him, acknowledging their participation and corroborating the circumstances of the trip. They specifically admitted to having prior knowledge of the clandestine purpose of the operation.

They indicated that the pirogue was carrying approximately one hundred migrants, mostly Guineans, as well as a few Senegalese, including men, women, and children. They stated that they did not know the identities of the captains or the payment arrangements for the migrants, with the exception of two individuals who boarded in Ziguinchor and who reportedly each paid 500,000 CFA francs, without knowing the final recipient.

Shipwreck narrowly averted

Ten days after leaving Conakry, following a storm and technical problems, the pirogue finally made an irregular landing on the Gulf of Mbour. It was at this point that all the occupants fled, abandoning the vessel there.

A new trip is being planned.

When questioned again about the discoveries in his WhatsApp account relating to exchanges for the preparation of a planned clandestine trip to Spain in April 2026, B. Barro found himself in a delicate position.

Investigators discovered messages involving the recruitment of candidates for 500,000 CFA francs, with a 50,000 CFA franc commission per intermediary. Confronted with this damning evidence, B. Barro admitted to planning the trip, while maintaining that he had not yet received any funds.

He thus partially acknowledged his involvement in the first trip and admitted to being the organizer and main coordinator of the upcoming project.

The presentation before the financial prosecutor of Dakar

These consistent statements established the collective involvement of the individuals concerned in the acts of which they are accused. B. Barro, M. Loum, M. Sao, and M. Sao were brought before the Financial Prosecutor of the Republic in Dakar.

They must answer for the following offences: criminal association, migrant smuggling, attempted migrant smuggling, endangering the lives of others and fraud.