BCIJ Dismantles ISIS-Affiliated Cell Involved in Criminal Operations Across Morocco

The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), operating under the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST), has dismantled a six-member ISIS-affiliated cell suspected of carrying out criminal activities driven by radical ideology.

According to an official statement, the operation took place on April 5 and 6, with suspects arrested in coordinated raids across Kenitra, Casablanca, the Dar El Gueddari area in Sidi Kacem province, and Sidi Taibi.

Authorities say the group is suspected of engaging in theft, burglary, and laundering criminal proceeds under the ideological justification of what they termed the “legitimization of loot,” a concept used by extremist circles to rationalize illegal gains.

Search operations carried out as part of the investigation led to the seizure of extremist books and manuscripts, bladed weapons of varying sizes, and sums of money in Moroccan dirhams believed to be linked to criminal activities. 

Investigators also confiscated equipment allegedly used in the operations, including a balaclava, gloves, three vehicles—two of them vans used for transporting goods—and a motorcycle.

Preliminary findings, supported by surveillance and field investigations, indicate that the suspects, described as adherents of extremist ideology, had recently carried out a series of thefts and burglaries as part of an organized criminal network aimed at generating illicit revenue.

The group’s modus operandi reportedly involved targeting livestock farms in rural areas surrounding Kenitra and Sidi Slimane. The stolen goods were then resold in local markets in the commune of Joumaa Shim, in Safi province, as well as in the city of Zemamra, in Sidi Bennour province.

Investigations remain ongoing to determine the full scope of the suspects’ activities, uncover potential links to broader extremist networks, and identify additional accomplices.

The suspects have been placed in police custody pending further inquiry under the supervision of the prosecutor’s office in charge of terrorism and extremism cases, the statement added.

MWN with MAP

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