On the morning of Tuesday 3 November 2026, security forces mounted an intensive deployment in Forest 33 near Mohammedia after two young men were found dead.[1] The two had been shot with a hunting rifle, in an incident that raised suspicions about links to drug-promotion activity in the area.[1] Bouznika judicial investigators attributed the double killing to two men described as members of dealer Er-Rifi’s gang, suspected of killing the youths and mutilating their bodies.[2] The two suspects were placed under custody on prosecution orders while the search continued for the rest of the gang.[2] The wider sweep had by that point detained about five people suspected of involvement in drug promotion.[1]

Gendarmerie officers backed by Auxiliary Forces cordoned the entrances and tracks into Forest 33 to closely monitor points suspected of use by drug-trafficking networks.[1] Officers raided many makeshift dens built of wood and plastic sheeting that had been used to sell and hide hashish and for other unlawful activity away from view.[2] The operation demolished a number of the wood-and-plastic shelters suspected of serving as hideouts and venues for unlawful activity.[1] Officers seized what was described as important quantities of kif and shira, cannabis products, alongside hallucinogenic pills.[1] Searches also recovered suspect motorbikes and cars, some believed to have come from thefts.[1]

Forest 33, also called Al Massira forest, lies near Mohammedia.[2] Combing operations and inquiries were expected to continue to establish how the two youths were killed, verify their alleged link to trafficking networks and assign legal responsibility.[1]