Morocco: Drug Ring Dismantled

Published: 08 August 2013

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A major drug-smuggling network based in Morocco was dismantled in an international police operation supported by Europol and Eurojust, according to a press release.

Officials made 36 arrests and seized more than 1.5 tons of hashish.

Last year the Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie intercepted a boat transporting hashish. They determined that the drugs were bound for Spain and then France where they were to be distributed across Europe, a regular route drug traffickers use.

Spain’s Guardia Civil led the operation, with support from Europol, Eurojust and French, Spanish and Moroccan law enforcement. Eurojust is the European Union’s judicial cooperation unit that works to coordinate investigations and prosecutions between Member States.

Searches in France, Portugal, Spain and Morocco resulted in the seizure of more than €32,000 in cash, 200 mobile phones, 13 cars, a motorcycle, a boat, a gun and cocaine drug paraphernalia.

The Moroccan head of the criminal network was killed a few days ago as a result of violence between rival drug trafficking organizations.

The operation was announced on Wednesday, but the action took place on July 10 and 11.