Morocco dismantles migrant smuggling networks

Security forces dismantle two networks specialised in illegal migration near Tangiers, arrest five organisers.

CASABLANCA - Morocco’s security forces dismantled Sunday networks specialised in illegal immigration near Tangiers and arrested 68 illegal migrants.

A joint operation between the Directorate General of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) and the Royal Gendarmerie culminated in the dismantling of the two networks which operated from the southern Atlantic side of Tangier, between "Oued Taddart" and "Briyech", according to the security sources.

Some 45 Moroccan and 23 sub-Saharan migrants were arrested during the operation as well as five organisers.

A vehicle used for the transport of illegal migrants and two zodiacs used for smuggling migrants.

Moroccan authorities said that about 68,000 illegal attempts to cross into Europe had been thwarted and 122 people-smuggling gangs dismantled between January and the end of September.