True to their internationally recognized expertise and outstanding performance, the Kingdom’s security services continue to deploy great efforts to thwart attempts of drug trafficking, irregular migration, and more, to protect public order, safety, and security. From September 23rd to October 3rd, Morocco’s law enforcement was able to arrest 20 people involved in drug trafficking with a total quantity of over 50 kgs and 27 blocks of cannabis resin (chira), over 350 kgs of Kif, 60 kgs of raw leaf tobacco, 9 grams of cocaine, 8 psychotropic tablets, and 2 psychotropic pills.
On irregular migrations, over 425 prospective irregular migrants, Moroccans, Palestinian, Senegalese, and sub-Saharans, were arrested at different checkpoints in the Kingdom. Ammunition was also seized by the authorities including a rusty bullet, a tear gas bomb, a rusty shell (projectile), a projectile ball, and an air gun. 4 people were stabbed during brawls, two of which died.
Drug Trafficking
Tanger-Med Port: On September 23rd, elements of the joint brigade (police-customs), in charge of the scanner control, arrested at the exit of the Kingdom, a man found in possession of 8 Kgs of cannabis resin (chira) hidden inside of the car seats’ headsets. On September 30th, the police services arrested a man upon his departure to Algeciras. He was found in possession of 5 kilograms of chira, hidden under the cabin of the truck he was driving.
Fes: On September 27th, law enforcement arrested a hard drug trafficker, found in possession of 1 gram of cocaine, 1 gram of cannabis resin (chira), the sum of 1580 dhs, and a cell phone. A raid of his house allowed the seizure of 8 grams of cocaine, 6 grams of cannabis resin (chira), 2 psychotropic pills and an electronic scale. On October 2nd, police services arrested an ex-convict on board of “CTM” bus at the entrance of the city. The search of his handbag allowed the discovery of 4 kgs of cannabis resin (chira) and 340 grams of kif in stem. The same day, an ex-convict, subject to 17 wanted notices for “illegal drug trafficking and violence”, was arrested by the police services. His search allowed the seizure of 13 grams of cannabis resin (chira), two-edged weapons, and the sum of 350 dhs.
In Fes Saiss Airport, on September 23rd, police services arrested a man exiting the kingdom, found in possession of 9 grams of cannabis resin (chira) hidden in the pocket of his hand luggage. On October 3rd, the police services arrested a man before his departure to Barcelona, found in possession of 9 grams of cannabis resin (chira) hidden in the pocket of his pants.
Moulay Yacoub: On September 25th, the royal gendarmerie arrested, at the entry of Fes, a man found in possession of 24 kgs of cannabis resin (chira) hidden in the trunk.
Bab Sebta Crossing: On September 25th, police services in collaboration with the customs services, arrested a man as he was exiting the kingdom, found in possession of 8.4 kg of cannabis resin (chira).
Ibn Battouta Airport: On September 26th, the police services arrested a man as he was leaving for Brussels, found in possession of 3 grams of cannabis resin (chira) hidden in his handbag. On October 1st, police services arrested two women as they were leaving for Istanbul. They were found in possession of 50 capsules of cannabis resin (chira), weighing 288 grams hidden in their private parts.
Nador: On September 27th, a vehicle occupied by two men, both subjects of 15 and 6 search warrants for “illicit trafficking of drugs” was found overturned on the side of the road, near Nador. One of the men had serious head injuries and was transported to the hospital while his companion took flight. In Nador-Al Arouit Airport, on October 3rd, the police services arrested a man, found in possession of 96 grams of cannabis resin (chira), at the moment when he was about to embark to Barcelona.
Rabat: On September 30th, police services arrested a driver of a public transport bus, found in possession of 27 blocks of cannabis resin (chira) inside a plastic bag. In Rabat-Sale Aiport, on September 27th, the police services arrested a man upon his arrival from Paris. He was wanted for “drug trafficking” since September 17th, 2017.
Taroudant: On October 2nd, the Royal Gendarmerie seized an abandoned vehicle transporting a quantity of 350 kgs of Kif in stems and 60 kgs of raw leaf tobacco. The occupants of the vehicle fled after being ambushed by the Royal Gendarmerie.
Essaouira: On October 2nd, the police services arrested a French resident in possession of 11 capsules of cannabis resin (chira), weighing 200 grams. He was planning to circulate them during the festival held at the hotel Sofitel-Mogador.
Laayoune: On October 2nd, the police services arrested two men for “obvious drunkenness and possession of narcotics”. Their search allowed the seizure of 06 grams of cannabis resin (chira), 08 psychotropic tablets, 500 grams of kif, and 313 dhs.
Irregular Migration
The security services arrested 425 prospective irregular migrants at different border crossings and cities in Morocco. The perspectives irregular migrants are Moroccan, Palestinian, Sub-Saharan, and Senegalese nationals.
Seizure of Weapons for Terrorist or Malicious Acts, Seizure of Dangerous Objects, and Refusal to Obey
Mediouna: On September 25th, the police services arrested a man on board a motorcycle in possession of a tear gas bomb.
Kenitra: On October 1st, during the installation work of the drinking water pipelines, an employee discovered a rusty bullet. A security perimeter was established around this bullet.
Jorf Lasfar Port: On October 3rd, a projectile ball of 25 cm in length and 07 cm in diameter was discovered in a scrap yard. The aforementioned scrap was imported from Amsterdam by a ship with a Portuguese flag, which was in port between 26.09.2022 and 01.10.2022.
El Kelaa Sraghna: On October 3rd, law enforcement arrested a man in possession of a “Norica, caliber 4,5 mm” air gun of suspected origin.
Ksar Lekbir: On October 3rd, an ancient rusty shell (projectile), 30 cm in length and 8 cm in diameter, without any inscription, was discovered by a man, near Ksar Lekbir.
Stabbings
Agadir: On September 30th, a man filed a complaint for “assault and battery” against a Malian resident. The injury was at the level of the neck with a sharp object.
Sale: On October 2nd, a man was assaulted with a white arm following a dispute with his employee who later took flight. Severely injured in his hand, his right foot and his neck, the victim was transported to the hospital.
Sefrou: At 3 AM, a brawl occurred between two men who were in a state of drunkenness. They stabbed each other with knives. One of them died, while the other wounded in the face, took flight. On October 3rd, a man died after being stabbed in his right thigh during a brawl at a wedding ceremony.
Marrakech: On October 3rd, a brawl occurred between two men in which one of them stabbed the other repeatedly causing his death.
Dismantling a Terrorist Cell in Nador and Melilia
In the morning of October 4th, the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation in a joint and simultaneous security operation with the Spanish General Commissariat of Judiciary Police, was able to dismantle a terrorist cell active in both Nador and Melilia, suspected of being linked to the so-called “Islamic State”. The members of this terrorist cell, aged 34 and 39, arrested in Nador, are in custody following the judicial investigation by the Public Prosecutor’s Office responsible for cases of terrorism and extremism. Investigations conducted also revealed that the alleged emir of this terrorist cell had links to the cell dismantled in December 2019 in both the suburbs of Madrid and Nador, in a joint operation carried out by the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance and its Spanish counterpart.