Morocco Busts Illegal Migrant Smuggling Network

Moroccan authorities announced on Tuesday the arrest of eight people linked to a criminal network involved in illegal immigration and human trafficking.

Search carried out by the police in their houses led to the seizure of foreign residence permit cards, fake visas, passports of illicit migration seekers, electronic devices, mobile phones, stamps and three cars, says a statement issued by the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations, Morocco’s FBI.

The same day, an illegal migrant was captured by the borders police at Mohammed V international airport of Casablanca. These operations show the sustained efforts made by security services of the North African Kingdom to combat organized crime, illegal migration and human trafficking.

Morocco deploys more than 13,000 soldiers along its coastal borders to foil illegal migrants crossing attempts. Last week, the European Union announced a €101.7 million financial assistance to support the country’s efforts in fighting human smuggling and irregular migration.

The EU funding will also serve to raise awareness among young people and their families about the risks involved in attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea.

Also, within the frame of its “border control program, the European bloc is supplying Morocco 1,300 off-road vehicles to help the country monitor its coasts and counter illicit migration flow.