Italy: 16 suspected people smugglers arrested at port of Catania

Sixteen non-EU citizens were arrested at the Port of Catania, Saturday, on suspicion of aiding 884 illegal migrants aboard the Italian-flagged tugboat 'Vos Thalassa.' According to the State of Catania police department, the boat departed the Libyan coast earlier last week and was intercepted in international waters on May 26.
From the statements of migrants, most of whom came from Libya, they had been held in the town of Zuara and Sabratah for 30-45 days, where they were guarded by the traffickers who fed them once a day. The migrants reported to have paid for the illegal crossing sums ranging from 800 to 1500 Libyan dinars (€522 to €979).
Among the 16 suspects, the driver of the boat is reportedly a Gambian citizen, while the remaining 15 were employed to navigate and maintain the boat.
According to local reports, the detainees were sent to the local district prison 'Piazza Lanza.' The arrest orders have arisen in a climate of the incessant enforcement and control of trafficking of illegal immigration across the Mediterranean. The arrests were coordinated by the District Attorney and conducted by the State Police and the law enforcement agency of Catania.
Video Courtesy: Polizia di Stato