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| Africa North |
| Morocco gang robs armoured car |
| 2014-03-05 |
| [MAGHAREBIA] Moroccans were taken by surprise when masked gunnies attacked a money-laden armoured car last week in broad daylight in downtown Tangier. The February 24th burglary of the Attijariwafa Bank left authorities puzzled despite the intervention of special units. Eyewitnesses said two private security guards walked from the armoured vehicle to the bank in a routine cash-in-transit operation. Upon their return to the car, three gang members in sport outfits attacked them with automatic pistols. Despite circulating reports about the arrest of the culprits, investigations are still ongoing according to media24.com. "This operation might be tied to a lot of scenarios, including terrorism," said Mohammed Agdid, security analyst at the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN). One of the masked men fired shots in the air as well as one shot in the direction of one of the security guards, wounding one, the security expert said. The gang members then escaped with four bags containing 5.5 million dirhams (490,000 euros) and foreign currency bills on board a black sports car driven by a fourth operative. They drove away very fast in an unknown direction, just like in American movies, Agdid said. Agdid did not discard the possibility that the robbery may have been conducted to secure cash for terrorist operations. "I think it is high time to give the DGSN advanced logistical means to fight mafias and organised gangs," he told Magharebia "The robbery implementation method shows that the gang planned and prepared... in a professional manner unusual for Morocco." Technical and judicial robbery and terrorism specialists are working together with members of the Directorate of the Protection of the Territory (DST) and intelligence, he noted. "Officials instructed a special anti-gang squad belonging to the Judicial Police in Casablanca to arrest the alleged perpetrators as soon as possible for fear of a repeat operation targeting other institutions," Agdid said. The robbery also raised the question of arming private security guards. Parliament in 2010 gave contracted security guards the right to "be armed according to regulatory controls". But this law has yet to be activated, according to Rachid Lemnasfi, president of the Moroccan Federation of Security Guards. "The non-activation is due to the absence of a legal framework for private security companies in Morocco, poor training and supervision, and the blurry relationship between these companies and the state," he told Magharebia. Security guard Hassan Zaoui, who works for a private company that transfers funds in Casablanca, said, "Our lives are at risk every day. How can we defend ourselves against robbers? The law of arming private security guards must be activated." But law expert Fettah Ghouati said the concept of private security companies was not defined in Moroccan law. "Weapons are the property of the state, so they cannot be given to private entities," he explained. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #2 :) High Concept Rulz. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2014-03-05 18:23 |
| #1 They drove away very fast in an unknown direction, just like in American movies High concept! It's Heat in Tangier: Dashing robbers with tactical gear. This go-round Bob's the dick While ol' Al gets his kick Taking scores down to fund the Emir. |
| Posted by: Zenobia Floger6220 2014-03-05 16:04 |