An attempt at irregular migration was thwarted on the night of March 29, 2026, on Sendou beach in the municipality of Bargny. The operation, conducted by the Bargny police station with the support of the Special Brigade, resulted in the arrest of thirty-one (31) would-be migrants.

According to security sources, the operation followed the exploitation of criminal intelligence indicating an imminent departure. Alerted around midnight, members of the Research Brigade raided the location. Upon arrival, while some members of the group managed to escape under cover of darkness, 31 individuals were apprehended by law enforcement.

Among those arrested are 20 Senegalese, including a minor, 10 Gambians, and one Guinean national. Initial interrogations have revealed the arrangements for the trip, as well as the sums paid by the participants, ranging from 200,000 to 500,000 FCFA.

The investigation also uncovered a new strategy adopted by smuggling networks to circumvent increased surveillance by the Defense and Security Forces (FDS). These networks now favor multiple gathering points, such as Sendou beach, to avoid attracting attention. The plan involved using makeshift canoes to transport migrants to a larger vessel, discreetly anchored at sea.

The testimonies gathered indicate that some candidates had already paid part of the required amount, while others were to pay the remainder upon arrival in Spain. In several cases, the financial transactions were directly arranged by relatives based abroad.

The investigation is actively continuing in order to apprehend the main organizer of the network, who is currently on the run.