RABAT, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Moroccan authorities said they have disbanded a five-member criminal ring involved in the international drug dealing, which included the brother of a top opposition Islamist movement figure, local press reported on Tuesday.

    The man, identified as Abdel Wahed Hilali, is the half brother of Nadia Yassine, a top figure of the anti-regime Al Adl Wal Ihsane (Justice and Charity) Islamist movement and daughter of Abdeslam Yassine, leader of the group.

    The arrests took place on July 1 in the northern city of Tetouan, which freed a man, who was kidnapped by the ring for having helped foil a previous drug smuggling operation to Europe, according to a statement of the Interior Ministry.

    Authorities also seized several vehicles and weapons, it said, adding that two more individuals are wanted by the police and that a security company was closed for suspected involvement of four of its members in the case.

    With over 200,000 members, the banned Al Adl Wal Ihsane group is regarded as the biggest opposition movement in Morocco. It calls for toppling the king and setting up a regime based on the Islamic Sharia.

    Nadia Yassine is presently sued for having made press statement expressing preference for a republican regime instead of the monarchy that has been governing the north African country for over five centuries.