In brief
Senegalese police have arrested 14 individuals, dismantling a transnational paedophile gang that has allegedly been operational since 2017. The group is accused of serious crimes including organized paedophilia and transmission of HIV, with connections to a Frenchman arrested in France. Authorities have vowed to continue efforts against such criminal networks.
Senegalese police have announced the arrest of 14 individuals as part of a crackdown on a paedophile gang operating between Senegal and France. The suspects, all Senegalese, are alleged to be part of a transnational crime syndicate that has been active since 2017.The police statement described the group's activities as horrific, accusing its members of organized paedophilia, pimping, the rape of minors under the age of 15, sodomy, and intentional transmission of HIV/AIDS. Reports suggest that the gang coerced boys into engaging in unprotected sexual acts with HIV-positive men and filmed these encounters.Notably, four of the accused are said to have been under the directives of a French man, who was apprehended in France in April 2025, with the exchanges between them facilitated by money transfers.Authorities executed coordinated raids in several neighborhoods in Dakar and the city of Kaolack, around 200km southeast of the capital, leading to the recovery of evidence related to the alleged crimes. During the operation, the Criminal Investigations Division highlighted the significance of international collaboration between Senegal and France, with French police officers actively participating.The detainees were presented before a judge following the extensive investigation, and police have committed to ongoing efforts to dismantle such criminal networks. Additionally, they have established a toll-free hotline for citizens to report any relevant information.
