During this operation, conducted on the basis of information provided by General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST), and in coordination with Royal Gendarmerie, two utility vehicles loaded with chira were intercepted at the Casablanca highway ring road, the Directorate General of National Security (DGSN) said in a press release.

The driver of the first vehicle and his accomplice were arrested at the motorway interchange, while the driver of the second vehicle refused to comply and his accomplice threatened the lives of police officers and highway users by firing four bullets from a hunting rifle equipped with a belt loaded with cartridges, the same source noted.

Face to this life-threatening situation, an Anti-Gang Brigade (BAG) officer fired four warning bullets before the fifth bullet hit the accused, the same source pointed out, adding that the driver of the second vehicle was arrested, while the attacker died.

During this operation, the authorities seized 10.3 Tons of chira which were delivered to the customs authorities, as well as the hunting rifle and the cartridges used in threatening the lives of police officers.

The three individuals arrested were placed in police custody to carry out the judicial investigation under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor's office to determine all the ramifications of this criminal gang, while the body of the fourth suspect was taken to the morgue for autopsy, the press release concluded.