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22:11
Spanish court grants release of suspect in Ceuta-Morocco drug tunnel case
A Spanish court has released one of the main suspects in the drug smuggling tunnel case linking Ceuta and Morocco after he posted bail of €20,000. The decision, made by Spain’s National Court, partially granted a request for release based on humanitarian and medical grounds.
The suspect, who is the brother of Ceuta’s regional deputy Mohamed Ali Duas, was arrested on February 2 during “Operation Hades,” an investigation led by Spain’s Civil Guard. The operation uncovered a sophisticated tunnel connecting Ceuta to northern Morocco, allegedly used to transport hashish to Algeciras, hidden in trucks with concealed compartments.
Health concerns influence court ruling
The defense argued that the suspect’s imprisonment posed a serious threat to his health due to thyroid-related issues requiring specialized endocrinological care unavailable in prison. Medical reports presented to the court revealed that the man had lost around eight kilograms since his arrest, a detail that significantly influenced the court's decision.
In its ruling, the court acknowledged the ongoing investigation’s findings, which indicate a criminal network operating with "a high degree of immunity," reportedly assisted by some members of the Civil Guard stationed at Ceuta’s port. However, after eight months in custody, the court concluded that the suspect’s risk of fleeing had diminished, citing his stable family ties in Spain as a mitigating factor.
Conditions of release and ongoing investigation
Under the terms of his conditional release, the suspect must report to the court twice a month, on the 1st and 15th.
Meanwhile, his brother, Deputy Mohamed Ali Duas, remains in detention as the investigation into the cross-border narcotics network continues. Authorities believe the operation involves a highly organized network with significant resources and connections.
The Ceuta-Morocco drug tunnel case has drawn considerable attention, highlighting the lengths to which smuggling networks go to evade detection while raising concerns about corruption and complicity within local law enforcement agencies.
