During the end of March 2026, the regional branch of the National Division for Combating Migrant Smuggling and Related Practices (DNLT) received information from a credible anonymous source indicating the imminent preparation of an irregular migration operation to Spain by sea.

According to this source, the network had split the would-be migrants into two groups. The first, composed mainly of Malian, Gambian, and Senegalese nationals, was already housed in the Castorol neighborhood of The Gambia. The second, made up primarily of Senegalese and Bissau-Guinean nationals, was gathered in the Goumel neighborhood of Ziguinchor before being transported to The Gambia. The final gathering was scheduled for April 4, 2026, with a group departure planned for April 10, 2026, aboard a makeshift boat carrying approximately 200 migrants. Each would-be migrant was required to pay 400,000 CFA francs.

Organizationally, the network was allegedly led by IK, a Malian national, acting in collusion with several accomplices, each with a specific role. IK provided strategic leadership and financial management. AT coordinated operations in The Gambia and served as captain. AF, alias Vieux, and MF, alias Ameth, both recruiters and transporters, were responsible for logistics, gathering and housing migrants in Ziguinchor, and transporting them to The Gambia. GD, MN, ARD, and MMGS served as captains.

Following the intelligence gathered, investigators initially arrested MF alias Ameth, AF alias Vieux, ARD, MN, and GD on Boudody beach, in the Goumel area of Ziguinchor. Subsequently, AT and MMGS were apprehended at the entrance to Ziguinchor, on the road to Bignona, coming from The Gambia.

The victims, when questioned, unanimously confirmed the facts as described by the source. The main organizers, MF alias Ameth, AF alias Vieux, and AT, admitted their involvement in the network and revealed that this was the fourth time they had participated in this type of operation, specifying that three of the four previous attempts had failed. For all four trips organized during 2025, the total number of migrants involved is estimated at 537, for a total sum estimated at 213,600,000 FCFA, according to information from Seneweb.

Asked to explain the use of these funds, they try to downplay the facts, claiming that part of it was used for their subsistence and their children's schooling, the rest having been kept by IK, who is currently nowhere to be found.

The operation resulted in the seizure of the pirogue used to transport migrants, as well as two outboard motors. The seven suspects were brought before the Financial Prosecutor of the Judicial Pool on charges of criminal conspiracy, attempted migrant smuggling by sea, complicity, endangering the lives of others, and organized fraud.