The National Division for Combating Migrant Trafficking and Related Practices (DNLT), through its Karang branch, referred fisherman MN Dione to the financial prosecutor of the Financial Judicial Pool of Dakar, for attempted migrant smuggling, complicity in migrant trafficking, and criminal association.

It was the elements of the Djinack Bara outpost who intercepted a pirogue carrying six people from Bargny to Djinack Kajata, an area known to host many departures of candidates for irregular emigration lately.

On board were A. Niang, M. Seck, O. Mane, B. Dianka, M. Ndao and M. Soumah. The suspects were handed over to the DNLT in Karang for further investigation.

The boat's owner, MN Dione, turned himself in at the station to inquire about the reasons for his canoe's interception. He was then taken into custody for questioning. Police also seized two canoes (one large and one small) as well as two outboard motors, one 40 horsepower and the other 15 horsepower.

In their official statement, A. Niang and M. Seck declared that they had piloted the dugout canoe from Bargny to Djinack Bara at the request of MN Dione, uncle of one and childhood friend of the other. They stated that they were to deliver the large canoe to Djinack Bara and return to Bargny with the smaller canoe, which was coupled to the larger one and equipped with a 40 HP motor belonging to M. Seck.

For their part, O. Mane, B. Dianka, M. Ndao, and M. Soumah stated that they were candidates for irregular migration. O. Mane and B. Dianka revealed that they had been recruited by MN Dione. Only B. Dianka claimed to have paid 400,000 CFA francs for the journey, while O. Mane maintained that he had been recruited for free. As for M. Ndao, he stated that his brother had dealt directly with MN Dione and that he was unaware of the payment of his financial contribution.

The confession of the alleged smuggler

When questioned, MN Dione initially denied the charges against him. However, pressed further and confronted with the statements of the six others arrested, he eventually confessed to complicity in migrant smuggling. He stated that he had recruited the four individuals found in the pirogue and that the pirogue was intended for sale. The buyer had promised him five free places after the transaction, which he planned to transfer to his clients in exchange for payment.

Regarding Mr. Seck and A. Niang, he stated that they were not aware of his illicit activities and that they had to return to Bargny with the small pirogue and the 40 HP motor.

The investigation revealed that MN Dione is a very active member of a migrant smuggling network. He allegedly used O. Mane and B. Dianka to pilot the pirogue on the route from the Saloum Islands to Djinack Kajata, an area they know well as natives and fishermen.

At the conclusion of the investigation, MN Dione was brought before the financial prosecutor of the PJF in Dakar to answer charges of attempted and complicit migrant trafficking and criminal association.