The Mauritanian police said yesterday that they have dismantled a network for smuggling irregular migrants across the Atlantic Ocean.
The network was arrested in the capital, Nouakchott. It includes four foreigners and a Mauritanian national who were arrested while trying to smuggle 28 persons who are of African and Asian descent, according to a statement released by the police.
In December, Interior Minister Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed El-Amin said authorities had dismantled several smuggling and human trafficking networks.
Mauritania is a major crossing point for African migrants, with the city of Nouadhibou – located on the Atlantic coast – becoming a preferred destination for irregular migrants wishing to cross to Europe.
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