Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) dismantled a three-member ISIS cell on Tuesday in Nador and Driouch, two cities in the country's east.
The ages of the suspects range between 18 to 31, according to a statement from the Ministry of Interior.
During the operation, BCIJ seized knives, hunting rifles, military suits, firearms, texts glorifying extremism, batteries, and electric wires.
The ISIS cell was plotting terror attacks to undermine the security and stability of Morocco, after gaining skills in making explosives and toxins, said the statement.
According to the ministry, the operation confirms “ongoing terror threats” and the existence of people “fed by the extremist ideology to serve” the ISIS agenda.
The suspects will be referred to the judiciary once investigations are complete, under the supervision of the relevant public prosecution.
The cell’s arrest comes after the murder of two Scandinavian tourists on Dec. 17 south of Marrakesh. A number of 22 suspects were referred to an investigating judge who handles terror-related cases.
Since the 2003 Casablanca bombings, Morocco has adopted a terrorism-combating policy that has proven efficacy in which it led to breaking up several cells in the kingdom and preventing attacks in France, Belgium, Denmark, and other countries, said BCIJ Director Abdelhak Khiame.
