Rabat – Morocco’s royal coastguards, operating in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic from December 18 to 21 rescued a total of 352 irregular migrants mostly from sub-Saharan countries.
On dangerously constructed makeshift boats, the 352 people attempting passage included women and children.
The rescued migrants received first aid aboard Royal Navy units, before being transported to the closest ports in Morocco. Security services handed over the migrants to the Royal Gendarmerie for customary procedures.
This year Morocco has been intensifying efforts against irregular migration.
The General Directorate of National Security’s (DGSN) annual report said that national security services dismantled 150 criminal networks active in organizing irregular migration in 2021.
Police arrested 415 suspects for irregular migration organizing, as well as 12,231 would-be migrants.
As part of the country’s efforts against human trafficking, national police seized 742 forged travel documents, 67 inflatable boats, and 65 vehicles used in transporting people for irregular migration.
Also Read: DGSN Continues Fight against Fraudulent COVID-19 Documents in Morocco
