Join on WhatsApp 
Join on Telegram Rabat – Moroccan authorities have dismantled a criminal network that forced young girls from Imzouren, Al Hoceima province, to prostitute in Europe, according to the daily newspaper Assabah.
The four-members network was led by two Europe-based Moroccans, Assabah reported earlier today. The other two members operated in Morocco and included the brother of one of the leaders and an intermediary, the paper added.
Aged between 50 and 60-year-old, the alleged criminals are suspected of crimes related to illegal migration, human trafficking, and blackmail.
Moroccan authorities learned about the network following a complaint issued by a woman who was blackmailed by the criminal network.
The alleged criminals asked her for money to guarantee the physical safety of her daughter who migrated illegally to Europe with the help of the network. They later used her for prostitution purposes.
Read Also: 4 Moroccans are Among Dismantled Network Active in Sexual Exploitation of Minors in Spain
The woman revealed the methods used by the network to scam victims to local authorities, leading to the launch of an investigation.
Authorities asked the woman to accept the blackmail for the suspects to be caught red-handed.
Two of the suspects were found to be involved in other illegal migration operations for money. The authorities found that the illegal migrants would later be exploited in illegal activities and have their relatives blackmailed, Assabah added.
Moroccan authorities have organized numerous operations to halt human and drug trafficking in the country.
Morocco’s General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) has in recent years carried out several operations in partnership with local authorities such as the Royal Navy, the National Brigade of Judicial Police (BNPJ), and the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST) as well as international partners like Interpol, Europol, and Spanish security.
