Investigations led to the arrest of seven would-be illegal immigrants from Sudan and Burkina Faso, immediately after their arrival to Nador, equipped with iron tools made specifically to help with climbing the fence, said a statement from National Police (DGSN).

As part of the investigation, Nador's judicial police arrested, in coordination with its counterpart in Oujda, 24 additional candidates of various nationalities (Sudan, Chad and Guinea), who were preparing to go to Nador to take part in the operation using similar equipment.

The same source said that the still-ongoing investigations have led to the arrest of a local ironwork owner for his involvement in the manufacturing of these climbing tools knowing they were intended for illegal immigration and the owner of a house who sheltered the migrants.

Suspects were placed in custody to complete the investigation conducted under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor's office.