Morocco seizes 1.354 tonnes of chira in Tangier

RABAT – Moroccan authorities seized on Monday 1.354 tonnes of chira and arrested nine individuals suspected of links with a network active in international drug trafficking in northern Morocco.

This security operation was made possible thanks to information provided by the services of the Directorate General of Territorial Surveillance, said the national police (DGSN) in a statement.

The suspects, aged between 24 and 55, were arrested in the coastal area of Tangier as they were about to carry out an international drug trafficking operation by sea.

Searches have resulted in the seizure of 38 packages of chira, with a total weight of 1.354 tonnes, said the same source.

The drug overhaul came three days after the police foiled an international drug trafficking operation and seized almost five tonnes of cannabis resin in the northeast.

The security operation, carried out in the region of "Dar El Kebdani" about 15 km from Nador, led to the seizure of 4,779 kg of cannabis resin in a car as well as in a house located in Douar "Lahyane", the DGSN said in a statement.

Investigations led to the arrest of a man for his alleged links to the criminal network involved in this operation, the source said, adding that search operations led to the seizure of three cars, several passports, fake license plates, inflators for inflatable boats and a pair of binoculars.