It didn’t take long for the gendarmerie to catch the couriers of would-be illegal immigrants in the case of the canoe that capsized off Saint-Louis, killing at least 26 people.

The trip, organised by clandestine couriers, was uncovered thanks to the perspicacity of the men in blue from the Saly Research Brigade.

The initial investigation led to the arrest of 5 individuals, all living in Joal.

The owner of the boat Ousmane Kane, was said to be assisted by his father, Lamine Kane. Other members of the trip, considered to be alleged accomplices, Gora Guèye, motorbike salesman, Pape Ndiaye and Oumy Diop, who acted as cashiers in the affair, were all arrested by the Saly gendarmerie.

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The investigation also revealed that the promoter, Ousmane Kane, is no novice at this. This time last year, he managed to smuggle more than 200 migrants into Spain.

This makes him an alleged multi-recidivist who would have pocketed a lot of money from this business. The investigation shows that he and his gang demanded the sum of 250,000 to 500,000 CFA francs from would-be immigrants for the journey.

They are all currently being questioned by the Saly Research Brigade, where they are being held in custody pending their face-to-face meeting with the prosecutor today. They are being prosecuted for migrant smuggling and manslaughter, among other charges.

By Alioune Badara CISS / abciss@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH