The suspect, who was located on the basis of precise information provided by the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance, was apprehended in Tangier after illegally entering Moroccan soil, the same source said.

According to preliminary investigations, the suspect is one of five dangerous criminals who managed to escape from prison in Portugal on September 7.

The suspect, who was serving a 25-year prison sentence in Portugal for ties with a criminal network and robbery at gunpoint, now faces a maximum prison sentence of 31 years under the international arrest warrant issued for him.

He has been placed in police custody for the judicial investigation ordered by the competent Public Prosecutor's Office, while criminal extradition procedures have been initiated under international security cooperation mechanisms.

This arrest is part of a sustained effort by the DGSN-DGST Cluster to pursue internationally wanted persons in cross-border criminal cases.

The Moroccan security services attach great importance to strengthening international security cooperation mechanisms, particularly with regard to the identification, tracking and apprehension of internationally wanted persons in connection with serious criminal cases, the same source added.