Morocco arrests 7 for suspected links to illegal immigration networks

RABAT, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Two Moroccans and five sub-Saharan Africans were arrested on Monday in the Moroccan city of Oujda for their suspected links to illegal immigration networks, the Moroccan police said in a statement.

The arrest came after a joint and simultaneous operation by the security authorities in different locations in Oujda, according to the statement.

The operation also resulted in the arrest of 81 people for attempted illegal immigration from sub-Saharan Africa, including 26 women and seven children.

In addition, four vehicles used to transport these people, knives, mobile phones and passports belonging to victims of the criminal networks, were seized.

Investigations are underway to determine the national extensions of the criminal networks, reveal their possible links outside Morocco and arrest all participants involved.