Police in Senegal have dismantled a transnational paedophile network that allegedly operated between Senegal and France, leading to the arrest of 14 people who appeared in court on Friday.

The suspects, all Senegalese nationals, have been charged with organised paedophilia, pimping, rape of minors under the age of 15, sodomy and the intentional transmission of HIV/AIDS, according to Africa News, citing a police statement released on Sunday.

Investigators say the criminal group has been active since 2017 and allegedly forced young boys to engage in unprotected sexual acts with adult men. Some of the assaults were reportedly filmed, Africa News noted.

Four of the accused are alleged to have acted under the instructions of a French national who was arrested in northern France last year. Police believe the French suspect coordinated parts of the operation while based outside Senegal.

The arrests followed a major police operation carried out by Senegal’s Criminal Investigations Division, with raids conducted in parts of the capital Dakar and in the city of Kaolack, about 200 kilometres southeast of Dakar.

Authorities say the case highlights the growing challenge of cross-border sexual exploitation crimes and the importance of international cooperation. Police in Senegal have indicated that investigations are continuing and that further arrests remain possible as inquiries expand, according to Africa News.