RABAT, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Sixteen people have been arrested over suspicion of belonging to an illegal migration network, the Moroccan police said Tuesday.
During simultaneous police raids, seven suspects were arrested at a workshop for manufacturing boats in the northern city of Casablanca, while nine others were detained in eastern cities of Oujda, Berkane and Laayoune Charkia, the police said in a statement.
The police also seized three boats, eight cars, fuel storage containers, money transfer receipts and sums of money.
An investigation is underway to determine the details of the case in order to reveal the links of the criminal network.
Morocco has seen a significant hike in illegal migration attempts this year. Moroccan Interior Ministry said that authorities foiled over 76,000 illegal migration attempts between January and November.
During the same period, Morocco also dismantled 174 illegal migration networks, up from 70 in 2017.
