Some 58 illegal emigrants arrested northern Morocco

The Moroccan Royal Marine on Saturday arrested near the north-eastern town of Al Hoceima 58 Moroccans who were trying to illegally cross to Europe onboard a dinghy.

The emigrants received the necessary care before they were handed to authorities for investigation, said the Royal Marine in a press release.

Thousands of illegal emigrants attempt every year to cross to Europe in search of better opportunities. The would-be emigrants do not only include Moroccans, but also Sub-Saharans and Asians who use Morocco as a transit to go to Europe.

The North African country has taken several measures to crack down on this phenomenon. In 2004, 26,000 attempts of illegal emigration were foiled, including 4,989 in southern Morocco. Some 423 people smuggling networks were dismantled in the same year.