Laayoune: Over 100 Would-be Illegal Immigrants Arrested

A total of 105 would-be illegal immigrants eager to reach the Canary Islands were arrested in recent days in the province of Laayoune, said local authorities. A first group of 70 illegal immigrants, including 12 women and a baby, were arrested on Sunday during the foiling of an illegal immigration attempt off Laayoune. A second attempt to leave for the Canary Islands was foiled Wednesday south of Laayoune, allowing the arrest of 35 illegals, the same sources said. The authorities of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region have intensified recently the fight against illegal immigration and trafficking in human beings which has led to the arrest of hundreds of individuals, mostly citizens of sub-Saharan Africa, who tried to reach the Spanish coast.