Morocco arrests six Algerians over forgery, illegal residency network

Moroccan police arrested six Algerian nationals on Thursday and Friday on suspicion of belonging to a criminal network involved in document forgery, identity theft, illegal residency and drug trafficking, authorities said.

The investigation began after the arrest of an Algerian national wanted under an Interpol Red Notice issued at the request of Algerian judicial authorities for alleged drug trafficking linked to an organized crime group. Police found forged residence permits in his possession, leading investigators to identify and arrest five other Algerian suspects.

According to the preliminary investigation, the group forged residence permits, criminal record certificates and documents from fictitious companies to fraudulently obtain Moroccan residency cards and evade international prosecution. Searches uncovered foreign passports, ten forged official stamps, counterfeit documents, a laptop, mobile phones, two vehicles, a checkbook and large sums of cash believed to be proceeds of the criminal activity.

The suspects have been placed in police custody pending further investigation, while efforts continue to identify and arrest other members of the network.