The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), under Morocco’s territory surveillance services (DGST), dismantled a four-member terrorist network in an operation carried out on Jan. 29-30 in the cities of Tangier, Casablanca, Béni Mellal, and Inezgane, that was allegedly recruiting fighters to join “ISIS’s” organization in the Sahel-Saharan zone, BCIJ stated on Tuesday in a release.
Searches carried out at the homes of the four suspects, all aged between 35 and 40, led to the seizure of several electronic devices, sums of money, weapons, and other gear, including swords, balaclavas, and a rifle.
The operation was part of the Moroccan security services’ ongoing efforts to combat the spread of “ISIS” and other terrorist groups, especially with respect to their recruitment of individuals to join their ranks, particularly in the Sahel.
The suspects were taken into custody subject to further investigation under the supervision of the Public Prosecutor’s Office in charge of terrorism and extremism.
The joint security operation reflects comprehensive efforts made by the various security services in the Kingdom to jointly combat international drug trafficking and transnational crime.