Dismantling of a Terrorist Network: Discovery of a Hidden Arsenal at the Borders of the Kingdom

The thorough investigations and actions carried out by the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations, under the Directorate General of Territorial Surveillance, within the framework of the ongoing investigation into the dismantling of a criminal organization affiliated with the terrorist entity Daesh in the Sahel region, have provided crucial intelligence elements, corroborated by highly precise technical data. These elements revealed the existence of a mountainous area suspected of serving as a logistical sanctuary, intended for the transportation and storage of weapons and ammunition for the members of this organization, with the aim of carrying out their sinister objectives. Advanced technical expertise, combined with satellite location capabilities and the exploitation of geographic coordinates gathered during the investigation, allowed for the precise identification of this area in the Errachidia province. More specifically, it is located on the eastern bank of the Oued Guir, at the “Tel Mzil” site, in the municipality of “Oued N’aam”, in the Boudenib region, on the eastern borders of the Kingdom. On-site inspections and mapping operations highlighted the site’s rugged topography, nestled at the foot of a rocky formation that is difficult to access due to steep and unpaved paths. This configuration made it necessary to deploy suitable logistical means to allow the investigation teams to conduct the required searches and actions with the rigor the situation demanded. In accordance with the strict protocols governing the management of terrorist threats, especially in areas suspected of harboring weapons and explosive substances, the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations deployed specialized canine units for explosive detection, metal detection devices, equipment for analyzing and identifying suspicious substances, as well as radiographic scanning equipment and investigation robots dedicated to detecting explosive devices. The search and sweeping operations, which lasted nearly three hours, led to the discovery of a carefully hidden shipment of weapons and ammunition at the foot of the rocky terrain. The weapons, meticulously wrapped in plastic bags and newspapers from Mali — including weeklies dated January 27, 2025 — bear witness to the clandestine modus operandi adopted by the instigators of this criminal maneuver. The seized arsenal includes, among other items, two Kalashnikov assault rifles with their magazines, two shotguns, ten pistols of various calibers, as well as a substantial amount of ammunition of different types. All these items were carefully sealed and placed under inventory for transmission to the national police scientific laboratory, where they will undergo thorough ballistic and technical analysis. The first elements of the investigation suggest that this arsenal was supplied and transported by a senior Daesh member operating in the Sahel region, whose responsibilities include managing the organization’s external relations. This individual is believed to have orchestrated the shipment of weapons via clandestine smuggling routes, ensuring their transport and concealment in this logistical stronghold. Once the operation was secured, he reportedly transmitted the coordinates of the site to the leading members of the recently dismantled terrorist network, allowing them to access this armament for the execution of their macabre plans. In parallel with the field operations, the investigations continue under the supervision of the competent prosecutor’s office, aiming to uncover all the ramifications of this criminal organization and its connections with the African branch of Daesh operating in the Sahel region.