Guardia Civil based in Mauritania help stop people trafficking

AFTER a lengthy investigation, a joint action between Guardia Civil officers and members of the Mauritanian Gendarmerie has resulted in the arrest of a Senegalese man believed to be the organiser of illegal boats taking migrants into the Canary Islands.

Although the actual arrest of the man and one of his accomplices happened in November, details are only now emerging as it transpires that the big break came when two potential migrants complained to the authorities that they were being charged between €800 and €900 to make the crossing.

The Guardia Civil have a number of officers together with support staff and a helicopter based in Mauritania, whilst its activities are co-ordinated from headquarters in the Canary Islands.