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Date Published: 23/11/2021
ARCHIVED - Man arrested after transporting Syrians into Cartagena
The suspect has been arrested after a dozen immigrants attempted to enter the Region of Murcia on Saturday
A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to transport a dozen Syrians into Cartagena’s port in a merchant ship on Saturday November 20.
The merchant ship, which is equipped to transport livestock and was flying a Guyana flag, arrived at El Portus in Cartagena and was anchored near Cabo Tiñoso awaiting permission to enter the port when several foreign passengers decided to launch themselves into the water in an attempt to reach the coast.
Police officers intercepted the immigrants, who confirmed that they had arrived on the merchant ship ‘Elita’. The boat was then instructed to dock in the port urgently and the captain of the ship was taken into police custody. He is suspected of a crime against the rights of foreign citizens and the authorities have indicated that the incident is being treated as a human trafficking case, which is still under ongoing investigation.
The twelve Syrians are currently in the custody of the Guardia Civil until a non-governmental organisation takes charge of them, and they will be able to apply for refugee status. Port authorities have confirmed that no cattle or other livestock have been unloaded from the ship.
Image: Puerto de Cartagena
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