Officers of Morocco’s National Police (DGSN) arrested two individuals, aged 31 and 48, in Nador on suspicion of possession and trafficking of 16,650 kilograms of cocaine and unlawful possession of firearms, according to data issued by the DGSN on Tuesday.
Collaborative efforts and information from the Territorial Surveillance Services (DGST) contributed to the apprehension of the two would-be traffickers during simultaneous sting operations in Nador and Farkhana in the northeast of Morocco.
The suspected traffickers are believed to have been smuggling cocaine shipments and trafficking them locally.
During the searches, police officers seized 16 packages of the illegal substance totaling 16 kilograms and 650 grams, a hunting rifle and a set of cartridges, as well as knives and a tear gas canister.
The DGSN added that the searches also resulted in the seizure of six vehicles bearing suspicious national and foreign license plates, in addition to money suspected to be the financial proceeds from the criminal activities.
The Judicial Police in Nador are conducting an investigation into the case at the direction of the public prosecutor into persons involved in the criminal network and the attempted smuggling of the illegal substance, with a focus on regional and international connections.