Significant Drug Bust in Spain Linked to Moroccan Traffickers
In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, Spanish authorities have arrested 13 additional suspects as part of an extensive investigation into a criminal network involved in smuggling hashish from Morocco. This brings the total number of arrests in this case to 35, with over 10.8 tons of hashish confiscated during the operation. The Spanish newspaper "El Espanol" reported new developments in the case, revealing that three Moroccan nationals have been detained, who are believed to have been responsible for renting apartments and warehouses used for concealing the drugs. Alongside the hashish, authorities also seized approximately 12.30 kilograms of marijuana.
The investigations revealed that the trafficking network relied on suppliers from Morocco, transporting shipments of hashish from Moroccan coastlines to southern Spain before distributing them across various regions, including Huelva, Cádiz, Almería, Alicante, and Madrid. This operation highlights the extensive route from Morocco into mainland Spain and subsequently to other European markets. Furthermore, the network utilized a range of transport methods for smuggling and distributing the drugs, including fishing boats, speedboats, trucks, and vehicles, along with the aforementioned warehouses and apartments employed for hiding the narcotics. According to the police report submitted to the Spanish National Court, this network controlled a substantial share of the hashish market in both Spain and Europe.
These developments follow an earlier wave of arrests that saw 22 individuals apprehended, including a key figure known as Juan Carlos, nicknamed "Moreno," who has been identified as one of the primary operatives of the network. The recent arrests coincide with the lifting of the secrecy surrounding the judicial investigation. "El Espanol" had earlier reported on September 28 that Moreno's network was actively involved in importing significant quantities of hashish from Morocco and transporting it along the Andalusian coasts to various locations in Spain, particularly Madrid, where the drugs were later distributed both within Spain and beyond. The investigation commenced in March 2025.
Spanish authorities continue to investigate the case, with efforts underway to locate one of the suspects who managed to escape. Investigators have not ruled out the possibility of expanding the inquiry to include additional individuals and networks linked to this case. This situation once again positions Morocco at the center of the supply route for the European hashish market, reflecting its expanding role in cross-border drug trafficking.
As reported by aps.dz.
