At least four French nationals have been arrested by the Marrakech police as part of a counterfeit euro trafficking ring, security sources indicated on Tuesday.

Alerted by mobile phone sellers, police officers apprehended a first man on Monday who was in possession of counterfeit banknotes, specified these sources, contacted by an AFP correspondent.

Questioned by the police, this French national revealed the names of three alleged accomplices, including a woman, who were arrested in the evening at Marrakech-Menara airport, while they were trying to flee the kingdom.

From the same source, these four French people were still in police custody on Tuesday.

Citing a security source, the Moroccan agency MAP also reported the arrest of a fifth person, another woman.

According to this source, the five French people, aged 25 to 32, were "specialised in the falsification and circulation of 20 and 50 euro currencies." The police took action following complaints filed by several Marrakech merchants, who were paid using these counterfeit banknotes.

The ochre city is one of the kingdom's main tourist destinations, particularly popular with the French, who constitute the largest contingent.