Europol arrests three suspects in Morocco during operation against violent gangs in Europe
Three people were arrested in Morocco in September as part of Europol's Operation GRIMM targeting "violence-for-hire" networks. Five suspects in total were arrested in Spain, Morocco and France.
Three arrests in Morocco under Europol's anti-gang Operation GRIMM
Three individuals suspected of links with criminal networks involved in serious acts of violence across Europe were arrested in Morocco in September, according to Hespress, which cites an Europol statement published on Friday.
The arrests are part of the GRIMM Operational Task Force, an initiative coordinated by Europol targeting networks described as "violence-as-a-service" — structures that organise shootings, murders and other commissioned attacks from abroad. In total, five suspects were arrested in Spain, Morocco and France between August and September.
In Tangier, Moroccan authorities arrested a 28-year-old Danish national on 12 September, wanted on suspicion of inciting murders and kidnappings. In the same city, a 21-year-old Swede was also arrested: he is suspected of playing a leading role within the criminal network Foxtrot and of commissioning violent crimes in Sweden and Norway.
A third Swedish national, aged 31, was apprehended in Agadir on 25 September. Swedish police suspect him of playing a central role in directing violent activities and drug trafficking; he is also wanted in connection with two alleged cases of murder preparation.
The operation also extended to other countries: a Swedish national was arrested in Spain and a man arrested in Paris, both suspected of attempting to recruit people to commit violent crimes.
Europol clarifies that the task force targets those who order crimes, recruiters and those who coordinate crimes from abroad. The operation particularly aims to dismantle networks that recruit young people via social media and instant messaging services in exchange for money, status or a sense of belonging.
Source: Hespress