Rabat – Moroccan police in Sale arrested five people on Wednesday on suspicion of involvement in an illegal migration and human trafficking network in Bouknadel, according to a security source.
The suspects, aged between 21 and 49, were arrested during a security operation carried out in the rural area of Bouknadel. The security source indicates the operation was based on intelligence provided by Morocco’s General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST).
Authorities said the suspects were caught while preparing an attempt to smuggle migrants to Europe through maritime routes. Police also found two would-be irregular migrants with the group, including a 17-year-old minor.
The operation led to the seizure of an inflatable boat and a marine engine, along with three life jackets, an air pump, and 370 liters of fuel.
Police also confiscated a vehicle suspected of being used to facilitate the operation, as well as a sum of money believed to be linked to the criminal activity.
The suspects and the migrants were placed under judicial investigation under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor’s office. Authorities are working to identify all the circumstances surrounding the case and arrest any additional people involved.
This arrest comes as Morocco ramps up efforts to combat illegal migration and human trafficking networks, especially along routes leading to Europe. Moroccan security services regularly announce operations targeting smuggling groups operating along the country’s northern and Atlantic coasts.
The country also cooperates closely with European partners on migration and border security issues, while continuing rescue operations at sea and crackdowns on trafficking networks.
