Senegal police dismantle migrant trafficking network near Gambia border

Authorities in Karang have dismantled a migrant trafficking network operating near the Gambian border. Following a tip-off on August 13, 2026, the National Division for the Fight against Migrant Trafficking (DNLT) intercepted three individuals accused of criminal association, fraud, and attempted migrant trafficking.

The network was organizing the transport of irregular migrants from Keur-Ayip, Senegal, to Farafenni, Gambia, with the ultimate goal of reaching the Spanish coast by sea. Through cross-border cooperation with Gambian immigration police, investigators located 180 migrants gathered in a forest near Farafenni.

During the operation, police seized a large pirogue, a 40-horsepower engine, hundreds of liters of fuel, food, and water intended for the sea crossing. The three suspects have reportedly confessed to the charges, aiding investigators in identifying other potential members of the network.