Major Drug Bust in Spain: Authorities Arrest 13 in Connection to Moroccan Hashish Trafficking
In a significant operation against drug trafficking, Spanish authorities have arrested 13 individuals linked to a large-scale criminal network involved in smuggling hashish from Morocco. This brings the total number of arrests in this ongoing investigation to 35, with the quantity of seized narcotics exceeding 10.8 tons of hashish. According to the Spanish newspaper "El Espanol," the investigations have unveiled new details about the network’s operations, including the apprehension of three Moroccan nationals suspected of renting apartments and warehouses used to conceal the drugs. The seized items include not only 10.8 tons of hashish but also 12.30 kilograms of marijuana.
The investigative efforts revealed that the network relied on suppliers in Morocco, where shipments of hashish were transported from the Moroccan coastline to southern Spain, followed by distribution across several regions including Huelva, Cadiz, Almeria, Alicante, and Madrid. This trafficking route extends from Morocco into Spain and further into other European markets. Furthermore, the network utilized various transportation methods for drug importation and distribution, including fishing boats, speedboats, trucks, and vehicles, alongside warehouses and apartments for drug storage.
According to a police report submitted to the Spanish National Court, the network had gained a substantial share of the hashish market in Spain and Europe. These developments follow an initial wave of arrests that resulted in the detainment of 22 individuals, including a key figure known as Juan Carlos, nicknamed “Moreno,” who was identified as one of the main operatives of the network. The operation expanded this week with the additional arrests, coinciding with the lifting of secrecy surrounding the judicial investigation.
As reported previously by "El Espanol," the Moreno network was actively engaged in importing large quantities of hashish from Morocco and transporting it via the Andalusian coasts to various locations across Spain, particularly Madrid, where the drugs were subsequently distributed both domestically and abroad. The investigation into this case commenced in March 2025 and continues as authorities search for one suspect who managed to escape, with further expansions of the investigation not ruled out, potentially implicating other individuals and networks involved in the case. This situation once again highlights Morocco's central role in supplying the European hashish market, reflecting the growing influence it has in cross-border drug trafficking.
As reported by aps.dz.
