BOSSASO, Somalia Feb 11 (Garowe Online) - The new president of Somalia's Puntland regional administration authorized a police raid in a fishing village renowned as a hub for pirates and human smugglers, Radio Garowe reports.

Puntland leader at Marero coast/GO

Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed "Farole," Puntland's new leader, was accompanied by the vice president, Gen. Abdisamad Ali Shire, and the deputy interior minister, Yusuf Ahmed Kheir, as security forces stormed the site and a group of suspected pirates fled away on a speedboat.

The village of Marero has been a major site for human trafficking from East Africa to the Middle East by crossing the Gulf of Aden, a dangerous sea journey that kills tens of thousands of people each year.

Puntland President Farole speaks to reporters in Bossaso/GO

Government forces successfully captured two speedboats, seven motors that power boats, barrels of fuel, food, ladders and ropes. The equipment and other materials seized during the police raid on Marero were shown to local media.

President Farole told a press conference in the port city of Bossaso Wednesday evening that the raid is a "first step" against criminal activities along the Puntland coast.

"My government will fight pirates and human smugglers, and we have a plan to defeat them," Puntland's president vowed.

Yusuf Ahmed Kheir, Puntland's deputy interior minister/GO

Mr. Kheir, the deputy interior minister, called for international support as the regional authority tackled security challenges, including piracy, which has aggravated the world community in recent months.

Puntland's new government came to power on January 8, 2009, as the region held a peaceful election and an orderly transition to power.

President Farole campaigned to improve security and economic conditions, although many challenges still face the new president.

Source: Garowe Online