Polisario gangs continue human trafficking from Mauritania into Morocco
Morocco-Mauritania, Politics, 10/5/2004

Mauritanian authorities arrested this week in the northern border (with Morocco) region of Tirs Zemour, 125 candidates to illegal immigration that were readying to enter Morocco onboard vehicles belonging to the Polisario separatists, Mauritanian security sources said.

The Algeria-backed Polisario front are claiming secession of Morocco's southern provinces, known as the Sahara. This former Spanish colony was retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid accord.

The vehicles bear number plates that confirm Polisario gangs' involvement in human trafficking to Europe, across Morocco, the same source said, adding that 80 of the immigrants are Indian and Bangladeshi, while the other come from Senegal and Mali.

According to the source, it is the first time such a number of illegal immigrants is arrested in Mauritania.

The Polisario have activities in the North and East of Mauritania, known by their rugged landscape. They deal in all sorts of banned products, including arms and drugs, which raise concerns in Mauritania.

Mauritanian authorities have arrested last month 44 candidates to illegal immigration (31 Malians and 13 Gambians), while 4 others died of thirst in their attempt to reach Morocco from Mauritania's northern Zouirat region.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco, Mauritania have similar views on security and development issues, Official   (8/27/2004)
  Morocco, Mauritania sign partnership convention   (8/21/2004)
  Mauritanian party in power 'understands' Morocco's stance over Sahara issue   (7/6/2004)

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