The Gambia is increasing becoming attractive to human traffickers as more people suspected of attempting to ferry humans across the Gambian territorial waters continue to appear before the various law courts in the country.

Karafa Keita, said to be a notorious human trafficker, is at present being tried at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court for attempting to ferry people from Gambia to Spain through the Gambian waters.

Testifying in the trial that resumed before magistrate B.Y. Camara late last week, Lamin Camara, the complainant and a prosecution witness, adduced that Karafa was a friend to his father and that one day the suspect sounded his father’s opinion as to whether he (Lamin) would be interested in joining those that he was about to ferry to the Canary Islands.

"As a matter of fact, I expressed interest and my father consequently paid the fee charged by Karafa. Karafa then gave me the date and venue for the departure. However, the journey to Europe could not take place on the proposed date because many of the travellers saw the canoe as unworthy for the sea voyage and, therefore, decided to cancel their trip," Lamin informed the court.

The case continues.