RABAT, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Moroccan authorities arrested an Indian in the northern city of Tangier over human trafficking, official news Agency MAP reported Monday.

The Indian national was arrested in a flat, which he rented to hide 16 would-be illegal immigrants from Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan, said a police statement.

Investigations revealed that the suspect had received 1,000-7,000 U.S. dollars from these migrants to help them reach Europe, the statement added.

The suspect was living illegally in Morocco, and arrested on Saturday after a police raid.

He is facing charges of abetting illegal immigration and human trafficking.

An increasing number of illegal immigrants are taking advantage of the geographic proximity of Morocco to Spain to reach Europe via Mediterranean.