Moroccan police Monday announced that they had thwarted extremely dangerous and advanced
terrorist plots aimed at seriously undermining public order and the safety of people and property.
A total of 10 extremists were arrested during the police operation conducted in several cities across the kingdom.
In a statement, the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) said that, based on precise information provided by the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), they had thwarted extremely dangerous and advanced terrorist plots on Monday morning.
The plots involved extremists operating with logistical and operational support from the Daesh terrorist branch in the Sahel region and aimed at seriously undermining public order and the safety
of people and property.
Elements of the DGST’s special forces conducted simultaneous intervention and arrest operations in several Moroccan cities: Agadir, Taroudant, Casablanca, El Hajeb, Tetouan, Fquih Ben Salah, and Safi.
These operations followed surveillance and investigations initiated by field officers tasked with gathering and analysing intelligence concerning this terrorist cell, according to a statement from the
Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ).
The same source notes that “these simultaneous field operations led to the arrest of ten extremists suspected of having links to the execution of this terrorist plot, whose ramifications extend to
several cities in Morocco.”
Among those arrested are a former detainee under the anti-terrorism law and a minor.
As soon as the intervention and arrest operations were completed, the commissioners and officers of the BCIJ began search operations in the homes of the individuals arrested, after having completed all the legal formalities and procedural guarantees, with the support of the canine units of the national security, which allowed the seizure of bladed weapons and equipment intended for the perpetration of terrorist projects,” adds the BCIJ.
It also notes that the searches also resulted in the seizure of military uniforms and extremist manuscripts detailing the manufacturing processes of explosive devices, in addition to digital media and visual content, including two recordings containing a pledge of allegiance to the Daesh organisation and explicit threats to perpetrate subversive acts within Morocco.
The same source specifies that “as part of ongoing field operations, a search conducted at a warehouse in the city of Inezgane led to the discovery of a 4×4 vehicle whose fuel tank had been modified to run on butane gas for use in a terrorist act, such as a suicide bombing or a vehicle-ramming attack targeting sensitive sites and facilities.”
“A security protocol was immediately activated, involving the evacuation of all residents living near the warehouse, before the intervention of a bomb disposal team from the General Directorate of
National Security (DGSN). This team conducted a thorough examination of the vehicle, using remote-controlled robots and high-precision sensors, to assess its level of danger,” the same source explains.
Following this procedure, the crime scene team and judicial police officers were authorised to subject the suspect vehicle and the warehouse to the technical examinations required by the investigation.
The search of the warehouse led to the seizure of a batch of butane gas cylinders and pressure cookers, some filled with nails and others connected to electrical cables, as well as a welding machine, electrical switches, small light bulbs, and a quantity of solid and liquid chemicals that will be subjected to technical and scientific analysis to determine their composition and intended use, the BCIJ adds.
Intelligence information, supported by field investigations and technical analyses, revealed that the members of this terrorist cell had pledged allegiance to the self-proclaimed caliph of the terrorist
organisation “Daesh,” the statement notes, adding that they had recently received instructions and established direct contact with certain leaders of the organisation’s branch in the Sahel-Saharan
region, instructing them to remain in Morocco to carry out its terrorist and subversive agenda, and postponing their plans to join the organisation’s strongholds outside the kingdom.
The investigations conducted so far have also revealed that the “emir” of the terror cell distributed roles among its members, following directives from the Daesh organization, the same source notes.
This distribution involved assigning certain members the task of selecting targets, while another group was entrusted with reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and surveillance.
A third group was responsible for acquiring the substances and equipment necessary to carry out their subversive plans, it is emphasises.
The major suspects have been taken into custody, while the minor has been placed under supervision for the purposes of judicial investigation.
The investigation aims to further inquire into the suspects, identify their links with the African branch of the terrorist organisation in the Sahel-Saharan region, and determine the potential ramifications of this terrorist cell at the national and international levels.
AK/Sf/fss/as/APA