Rabat- Ten individuals suspected to be a part of the criminal network involved in facilitating cheating on driving license exams, have been apprehended, due to collaborative effort between the Provincial Judicial Police of Oujda and the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST).
The arrested individuals, apprehended on Tuesday May 7, were reported to be between the ages of 21 and 47.
Among those detained were driving school instructors, a candidate caught red-handed in the act of cheating, three employees associated with an examination center, and four intermediaries believed to have facilitated the illicit activities.
The authorities conducted extensive searches surrounding the case, resulting in the discovery of compelling evidence. This included clothing rigged with mobile phones, specialized communication devices, micro earpieces, three vehicles, falsified identity documents used for examination purposes, and approximately two kilograms of cannabis resin –“ chira” – seized from one of the intermediaries.
The suspects have remanded in custody pending further investigation, under the supervision of the competent prosecutor. The objective of the probe is to thoroughly uncover the intricacies of the case and identify any potential links or extensions of this criminal enterprise.
Commenting on the news to SNRT, Nacer Boulaajoul, the director of the National Agency for Road Safety (NARSA), underscored the agency’s ongoing efforts to bolster surveillance measures during driving license exams.
He assured the public that all examination facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art camera surveillance systems and vigilant invigilators, ensuring the integrity of the examination process.
While acknowledging that instances of cheating such as this case are relatively rare, Boulaajoul affirmed that decisive action will be taken against individuals resorting to modern technologies to circumvent examination protocols.
He also highlighted the challenges posed by increasingly sophisticated methods employed by cheaters, akin to those observed in other academic assessments, which can complicate detection efforts.
According to insights provided by the National Security Directorate (DGSN), the modus operandi of the dismantled network revolved around equipping candidates with micro earpieces and garments incorporating concealed mobile phone cameras.
Driving school instructors utilized these devices to access exam questions covertly and relay correct answers to candidates, notably often in collusion with complicit employees at driving license examination centers.
The successful operation stands as a testament to the commitment of Moroccan law enforcement agencies to uphold the integrity of licensing procedures and ensure road safety standards are maintained.
Read also: Morocco Announces Second Chance for Driving License Exam Takers
