The Tripoli Sea Port Security Directorate thwarted an attempt to smuggle migrants from Shaab port in Tripoli to Italy.
The Ministry of Interior said after receiving information from the Tripoli Sea Port Security Directorate that there were suspicious movements inside the Shaab seaport, it assigned a team for collecting information and investigation, in cooperation with the Coast Guard.
The investigation resulted in the seizure of a boat anchored at a point in the port, with people of Arab nationality onboard intending to migrate to Italy illegally in return for a prepaid amount of money estimated at about 8,000 Libyan dinars (about $1,600) per person.
After interrogating them, the Security Directorate reached the owner of the boat, who is of Egyptian nationality, noting that the seized boat was bound in the name of his Libyan wife, and all legal measures were taken, and they were referred to the Public Prosecution, according to the Ministry.