This security operation, which took place in several mountains around the city of Taza, was carried out on the basis of information provided by the Directorate General of Territorial Surveillance (DGST).

According to a National Police (DGSN) statement, a total of 153 police officers were mobilized, including commissioners, judicial officers, intervention agents and dog handlers, in addition to 34 police vehicles.

Security forces seized 10 guns, 137 rounds of ammunition and ten empty cartridges from the suspects' homes. These go in addition to a set of equipment and materials used in gun manufacture and assembly, the statement further specified.

According to the initial investigation, the members of this criminal network are suspected of having prepared and assembled firearms illegally and have marketed to other people, including drug dealers and psychotropic drugs, according to the same source.

The accused were placed in custody at the disposal of the judicial investigation conducted in order to clarify all their ramifications and possible links with criminal networks, and to arrest all persons involved in this case, concludes the statement.