The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), under Morocco’s Territorial Surveillance Services (DGST), dismantled an alleged five-member terrorist network in an operation carried out early on Friday, in the cities of Casablanca, Tangier, Tetouan, Martil, and the town of Ounagha in Essaouira city, according to a press release issued by the National Police DGSN.
DGST’s special forces arrested the individuals, who range in age from 22 to 46, on suspicion of being affiliated with “Daesh” and for an alleged conspiracy to commit terrorist acts to undermine public order in Morocco.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused, who declared allegiance to the self-proclaimed caliph, had stated their intention to carry out terrorist attacks on significant infrastructure and security institutions in Morocco, as well as to promote violence through campaigns, according to the release.
One of the suspects arrested, who has a background in electronics, had intended to manufacture explosives, investigators said.
The five suspects are in custody now pending further judicial investigations by BCIJ agents under the supervision of the Public Prosecutor’s Office in charge of terrorism and extremism for purposes of uncovering the network’s alleged extremist activities.