Sky ECC: suspects arrested in Morocco amid major narcotics investigation

18:30

Authorities in Morocco have arrested suspects in connection with a large-scale international investigation into drug trafficking facilitated through the encrypted messaging platform Sky ECC. The operation, led by Belgian authorities with cooperation from France, the Netherlands, and Balkan countries, stems from efforts launched in 2021 targeting criminal networks using the platform.

The investigation identified approximately 5,000 suspects worldwide and revealed that Sky ECC was extensively used by criminal organizations to coordinate cocaine shipments. Analysis showed that, prior to the March 2021 police raids in Belgium, nearly 20% of the 170,000 active Sky devices were in use in the country, highlighting Belgium’s strategic role as a hub for drug trafficking through the port of Antwerp, the second-largest port in Europe.

Coordinated international operations

Police operations since March 2021 have included over 200 raids, resulting in the seizure of roughly €224 million across hundreds of ongoing investigations. High-level traffickers, known as “barons,” often coordinated shipments remotely, with one Belgian suspect reportedly organizing 13 international drug transports from Dubai in three weeks without direct contact with the narcotics.

The investigation also revealed a significant use of Albanian in communications, prompting strengthened cooperation with Balkan countries. This led to convictions in North Macedonia and the arrest of 30 suspects during 2025 operations in Kosovo.

Global reach and pending trials

Prosecutors in Antwerp noted that nearly all high-value targets identified abroad have now been extradited to Belgium or are in the process of being returned, including suspects from the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and Turkey. In France, where Sky ECC servers were hosted, a trial involving about 30 suspects is scheduled for late 2026.

The operation highlights the growing sophistication of international criminal networks and the critical role of cross-border cooperation in combating drug trafficking.