This operation was carried out on the basis of accurate information provided by the services of Morocco's Directorate General of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), says a statement from National Police (DGSN).

The first suspect was arrested at a road checkpoint located at the entrance to the city of Guelmim, immediately after his arrival on a vehicle carrying two marine engines. Investigations lead to the arrest of other suspects allegedly involved in the same criminal network, the statement specifies.

Inspections conducted at the suspects' homes in the rural area of Sbouya, about thirty kilometers away from Guelmim, led to the seizure of three cars, two inflatable boats and four other marine engines, in addition to 98 chira bales with a total weight of 3.219 tons, the same source says.

The three suspects, aged 30, 33 and 40, were remanded in police custody to complete the investigation conducted under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor's office in order to shed light on this case and its possible ramifications and to arrest all accomplices involved in these criminal acts, the statement concludes.