An 8-year-old boy from the Ivory Coast survived several
hours locked in a suitcase, bundled in a fetal position, as his family tried to
smuggle him into Spain. But they didn't succeed as police officers discovered
him in the suitcase via scan on Thursday May 7 in El Tarajal, a terrestrial
point of entry at Spain's border with Morocco.
The boy, who is now in Spanish custody, is believed to have
spent many hours in the pink, medium-sized polyester suitcase, pressed against
a few personal belongings.
"He was shocked when we opened the suitcase to see so
many people looking at him," a Spanish police spokesman told CNN. He also
said the boy is in good condition.
See more photos after cut
The police spokesman said police officers in El Tarajal
became suspicious when a 21-year-old woman, a Moroccan National, showed signs
of nervousness as she attempted to cross the border wheeling the suitcase down
the street.
"Our officers asked her if she needed help as the
wheels began to give in," the spokesman said.
Suspecting a drug smuggling case, police brought the
suitcase in for an x-ray. That is when they found the boy.
He was immediately taken to a state child custodian and
awaits judicial process, the official said.
A man who is apparently his father, identified as A.O., was
arrested a few hours after the boy was found. The man, who has permanent
residency in Spain, awaits formal charges.
The spokesman said this is the first time they have found
this type of smuggling, in which a child was locked into a container.
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