34 illegal immigrants arrested on Mauritania-Morocco border

NOUAKCHOTT: A total of 34 illegal immigrants were arrested on Wednesday by the Mauritanian police at the Mauritanian-Moroccan border, security sources said.

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"We learned that the 34 illegal immigrants coming from different African countries were initially sent away by the Moroccan police before landing in the hands of the Mauritanian police," a security official told Xinhua.

They were locked up at the Nouadhibou detention center of illegal immigrants, where they will be taken care of before their repatriation in the coming weeks to their respective countries, according to the official.

Mauritania has been a transit point for illegal immigrants coming from Africa and Asia before going on to Europe.

The Mauritanian marine was recently supplied by Spain with an aeroplane with coastal surveillance equipment to reinforce their fight against illegal immigrants. The Spanish authorities expressed appreciation of Mauritania's efforts which led to a reduction in the number of illegal immigrants to the Iberian Peninsula.