Morocco Dismantles Terrorist Cell Suspected of Committing Crimes Motivated by Extremism

Rabat – Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), under the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), dismantled on Sunday and Monday (April 5-6) a terrorist cell consisting of six extremists for their alleged involvement in criminal acts motivated by extremism, including theft, robbery, and the laundering of criminal proceeds, according to the principle known as “legitimization of spoils”.

Suspects were arrested during separate operations in Kenitra, Casablanca, in the Dar El Gueddari region (Sidi Kacem province) and Sidi Taybi, the BCIJ stated in a press release. According to the same source, search warrants conducted in connection with this case led to seizing extremist books and manuscripts, bladed weapons of various sizes—including sharp and blunt instruments— as well as sums of money in Moroccan dirhams suspected of originating from criminal activities. Similarly, search and seizure operations led to the confiscation of a balaclava, gloves and three vehicles—including two cargo vans—as well as a motorcycle, suspected of having been used to facilitate these criminal acts. Investigations and inquiries, supported by security surveillance, unveiled that the suspects, who were steeped in extremist ideology, had recently engaged in theft and burglary as part of a coordinated criminal scheme aimed at generating illicit gains. The modus operandi adopted by the suspects involves raiding livestock farms in several rural areas on the outskirts of Kenitra and Sidi Slimane, to commit thefts and robberies, to then resell stolen goods at local markets in the commune of Joumaa Shim (province of Safi) and the town of Zemamra (province of Sidi Bennour). Ongoing investigations into this case are focused on uncovering the full scope of the criminal acts attributed to the suspects, establishing links between these crimes and their extremist affiliations, as well as identifying and apprehending any remaining accomplices and associates. For the purposes of the judicial investigation, the suspects have been placed into custody, pending further inquiries and investigations conducted by the BCIJ under the supervision of the Public Prosecutor’s Office in charge of terrorism and extremism cases, the press release concludes.