In Morocco, police authorities have arrested 56 would-be illegal immigrants to Europe in the western Settat region.
Police found 26 Malians, 23 Senegalese, four Ivorians, two Gambians and one Guinean on board a livestock truck bound from Settat to the Atlantic coast city of Tiznit, Maghreb Arabe Presse said Monday.
From Tiznit, the 56 planned to stow away on ships travelling toward the Canary Islands.
The Moroccan driver and owner of the truck carrying the travelers were arrested during the police swoop, as was the trafficker who had offered to get people into Europe.
All three men are set to appear in court on charges of "encouraging or being an accomplice to illegal emigration". The arrested African nationals will be sent back to their respective countries.
The 56, all from sub-Saharan Africa were arrested early Sunday, just hours after another 73 sub-Saharan Africans intent on gaining illegal entry to Europe were arrested in Taza, in eastern Morocco. (Albawaba.com)
