RABAT, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Moroccan authorities have arrested two sub-Saharan Africans over their suspected involvement in organizing illegal migration operations in the northeastern town of Nador, local authorities said Thursday in a statement.
According to the authorities of Nador, the arrest of these suspects in a remote area came after investigations and searches carried out by security services following the foiling on Tuesday of an illegal migration operation of 58 people from sub-Saharan countries off Nador coast.
The initial investigations revealed that the two suspects received money in return for their act, the same source said, adding that the inquiry is under way to identify and nab other persons involved in these criminal activities.
The authorities of Nador, which borders the Spanish enclave of Melilla on the rim of North Africa, noted that over 230 people, both from Morocco and sub-Saharans African countries, have been arrested and brought to justice over their suspected involvement in organizing illegal migration operations since the beginning of the year.
Morocco has become a hub for African migrants who seek to reach Europe for a better life. Thousands of migrants try to flee poverty and unrest in Africa each year via Morocco to Europe, either by land into the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla or by sea often in flimsy vessels.
According to Morocco's Interior Ministry, security forces arrested some 50,000 migrants in 2017 and dismantled over 70 organized illegal migration networks.
