Significant Cocaine Seizure in Morocco Sparks Inquiries

Tuesday 12 December 2023 - 12:00

By: Dakir Madiha

Significant Cocaine Seizure in Morocco Sparks Inquiries

Moroccan law enforcement has achieved a significant breakthrough in the battle against drug trafficking, confiscating over 215 kilograms of cocaine valued at millions of dollars, intended for the Netherlands. This massive haul was unearthed during a collaborative effort between Morocco's National Brigade of Judicial Police (BNPJ) and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), focusing on a European freight ship docked at the prominent port of Tanger Med.

The record-breaking cocaine seizure, announced this Monday, also included the discovery of five GPS tracking devices linked to the illicit drug packages found on board the vessel, which had set sail from Brazil. Following this interception, Moroccan authorities have initiated a thorough investigation to unravel the complexities of the international drug ring involved in this attempted cocaine smuggling operation.

Addressing the media in a press conference on Tuesday, BNPJ superintendent Akram El Alami emphasized, "We will collaborate closely with our international partners to dismantle these perilous trafficking networks." He further stressed that the sheer magnitude of this seizure underscores the urgent need for enhanced measures to prevent drug transit through Moroccan ports.

The Moroccan Directorate General of National Security (DGSN) reported that the successful joint operation with the DEA signals an improvement in information-sharing practices. However, it also raises concerns about the escalating flow of cocaine through the strategic Straits of Gibraltar crossing, with distribution networks extending into Europe via Moroccan smuggling routes. As investigations unfold, authorities are intensifying efforts to address and curb this illicit trade.