By Kebba Ansu Manneh
In a dramatic early-morning operation on Sunday, April 19, 2026, operatives from The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) burst into a relatively obscure but increasingly active migrant departure point in Kartong, intercepting 24 would-be irregular migrants bound for Europe via the perilous Atlantic “back-way” route.
The raid targeted the site locally dubbed “Kartong Stela,” a new launch pad that has quietly emerged as an alternative departure point following heightened scrutiny on other coastal hotspots.
According to impeccable sources close to the community, the intercepted group comprised nationals from The Gambia, Senegal, Guinea, and other West African countries. Many had been staying in local guesthouses and compounds near the Kartong beach, preparing to board boats for the dangerous sea crossing to the Canary Islands.
Sources who spoke on condition of strict anonymity revealed that while the migrants were swiftly apprehended, the key local collaborators and the trip’s alleged chief organizer — a Senegalese national — remain at large. Gallons of petrol and other valuables were reportedly recovered from an incomplete building near the scene, believed to have been intended for the journey.
This latest interception comes barely two months after authorities effectively disrupted operations at the once-notorious Jinack Island in the North Bank Region, which had gained a reputation as a relatively unchecked migrant gathering point due to local beliefs and operational challenges. The shift to Kartong Stela highlights the fluid and adaptive nature of irregular migration networks along The Gambia’s coastline.
The Alkamba Times visited the area to gather firsthand accounts. One community source confirmed the operation, noting that although Kartong Stela is not as widely publicized as other routes, it has reportedly facilitated the departure of more than 10 migrant boats over the past 5 years, with the most recent known sailing occurring in January 2026.
A concerned native of Kartong, speaking anonymously, expressed deep frustration over what he described as apparent complacency by both local and state authorities.
“We are very concerned that if more concerted efforts are not made by the Government and local authorities, many more lives may perish at sea,” he told The Alkamba Times. “What is baffling is that the suspected migrants intercepted had been living openly in Kartong for some time. Yet neither the army nor immigration took earlier action.”
He further alleged that most organizers are natives of the area, but no visible efforts have been made to question or arrest them. “We want to call on the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and all relevant stakeholders to intervene urgently before it is too late,” he added.
Lamin Camara, Manager of Stala Adventure Resort, whose business premises are adjacent to the site, corroborated details of the raid. He said the incident occurred near his property, and staff witnessed immigration operatives arriving and making arrests.
“Personally, I was not present, but my staff duly informed me that immigration officers came around and arrested more than twenty suspected migrants. They also confiscated many gallons of petrol from an incomplete building next to our premises,” Camara disclosed.
He firmly distanced himself and his business from any involvement: “Neither my staff nor I are aware of or have played any part in this organized crime. However, what I cannot understand is that in Kartong we have the army, the navy, and immigration presence to foil illegal back-way journeys, yet we continue to hear of migrants leaving through here.”
Siman Lowe, Public Relations Officer of the Gambia Immigration Department, confirmed that GID operatives conducted an operation in Kartong and nabbed suspected migrants.
However, he declined to provide further details, citing ongoing investigations. Lowe also withheld information on the involvement of local collaborators or the Senegalese national reportedly still at large.
The “back-way” phenomenon remains one of The Gambia’s most pressing humanitarian and security challenges. Irregular migration via sea routes to Europe has claimed hundreds of Gambian lives in recent years, with reports indicating significant fatalities in 2025 alone.
Young Gambians, driven by high youth unemployment and limited opportunities, continue to risk everything despite repeated government warnings and interception efforts.
Recent monitoring data show that Gambian coastal areas, including areas near Kartong, have seen renewed activity as departure points, with several hundred migrants recorded attempting crossings in the early months of 2026. The emergence of Kartong Stela as a viable alternative underscores the resilience of smuggling networks and the difficulty of fully sealing porous coastal borders.
Community voices in Kartong are now urging stronger collaboration between security agencies, local leaders, and relevant ministries to dismantle the networks before more tragedies occur. They argue that sustained presence, intelligence-led operations, and genuine community engagement are essential to stem the tide.
As investigations continue, questions linger about the effectiveness of current strategies and the alleged complicity that some residents claim allows these operations to persist in plain sight.
The Alkamba Times will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.
The human cost of the back way remains devastating. With thousands of young West Africans still eyeing Europe’s shores despite the known risks of drowning, capsizing, and exploitation, the need for holistic solutions — addressing root causes such as unemployment, combined with robust border management — has never been more urgent.
