The suspects were arrested during a security operation, carried out at Boukana beach in the Beni Nsar region near Nador, while attempting to smuggle a load of 770 kg of Chira in 52 packages ready for transport by sea, said the National Police (DGSN) in a statement.

Search operations led to the seizure of two traditional boats, five marine engines, 42 jerry cans of 40 liters, a sum of money amounting to 74 million dirhams, three motorcycles without license plates, four cars suspected of having forged plates, as well as navigation equipment, notably vests, water pumps and maintenance equipment, and bottles of alcoholic beverages, said the DGSN.

The suspects were remanded in police custody for the investigation carried out under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor's office in order to identify other alleged accomplices as well as the ramifications of this criminal network nationally and internationally, concluded the statement.