Morocco Thwarts Illegal Immigration Attempts, Arrests 27 in Coastal Operations

It was on the basis of precise information provided by the Directorate General of Territorial Surveillance (DGST) that the Directorate General of National Security (DGSN) managed to thwart a new operation of illegal immigration.

"The investigations carried out in the context of this case led to the arrest of 5 individuals for alleged involvement and complicity in the organization of illegal immigration," the DGSN said in a statement.

Similarly, the elements of the Judicial Police arrested 22 candidates including 1 minor of 16 years old. They had paid various sums of money to the arrested organizers, in exchange for illegal immigration to Spain via maritime routes.

As for the search operations, they were conclusive: 21 life jackets, fuel, night lighting devices, 5 knives and 1 machete were seized.

For their part, the authorities of Salé also proceeded to the arrest of 8 individuals involved in illegal immigration and 13 candidates. They would have paid between 15,000 and 20,000 dirhams to the smugglers.

In total, 4 vehicles reserved for the transport of the candidates, large sums of money in foreign currencies, mobile phones, life jackets and 15 liters of fuel were seized.

For now, investigations are ongoing to shed light on these attempts at illegal immigration, and to identify, at the same time, any accomplices, as well as the ramifications of this criminal network, at the national and transnational levels.