Monday April 28, 2025
Garowe (HOL) — Puntland authorities have issued a strong warning to human traffickers and smuggling networks operating through regional airports, vowing to crack down on the increasing illegal migration of Somali youth.
In a press release issued Monday after a high-level meeting of immigration officials and security agencies in Garowe, officials said the surge in smuggling activities poses a serious threat to the lives and well-being of young people.
“To stop the growing smuggling activities endangering the lives and property of our youth, immigration authorities will work closely with all government agencies responsible for combating human trafficking,” the statement read.
The officials emphasized that security forces will strictly enforce existing laws against smugglers and trafficking networks. They also announced new measures requiring airlines and ticketing companies to verify passenger documentation more rigorously.
The meeting underscored the need for stronger inter-agency cooperation, with a firm commitment to dismantling smuggling networks. Airlines and ticket offices have been instructed to verify the authenticity of travel documents for all passengers departing from Puntland airports.
Garowe Airport has become a major hub for migrant smuggling, with many young people using it as a departure point. Officials noted that a growing number of migrants from Puntland have gone missing while attempting the dangerous journey between Algeria and Spain — a route that has increasingly become popular in recent years.
