Drug barons, fraudsters wanted in the United States, kidnapping suspects or fugitives carrying forged papers: arrests are multiplying in Morocco. Since the beginning of the year, around thirty people wanted by Interpol are believed to have already been intercepted there.
Years after the searches were launched, three men closely linked to Morocco still rank among the Netherlands’ most wanted criminals. Two are suspected of having run a large-scale cocaine trafficking operation, while the third is wanted in several murder cases.
Morocco would have 218 fugitives wanted by French authorities , nearly half of them for drug trafficking. The strengthening of cooperation between Paris and Rabat now threatens the peace of mind of these suspects on the run.
Long convinced they could live or run their networks from Morocco, French drug traffickers are seeing their room for maneuver shrink . The political and judicial rapprochement between Rabat and Paris has profoundly changed the situation.
A 37-year-old French national, wanted by French justice to serve a criminal sentence, was arrested in Casablanca. He was targeted by an international arrest warrant in cases involving fraud, stolen cars, money laundering and weapons possession .
Extradited last summer from Dubai, Othman El Ballouti, 38, has just had his convictions confirmed. Belgian justice has imposed twenty-seven years imprisonment on him for his major role in a vast international cocaine trafficking operation.
Considered one of the biggest cocaine importers in France, Ouicem Kattoursi was arrested in Dubai. This arrest ends a long fugitive period for this drug trafficker from Sevran, already arrested in Casablanca in 2008.
Tried in Spain for abducting his six-year-old daughter, a father was sentenced this week. The child, taken secretly to Morocco , was able to reunite with her mother after several months of a lengthy international legal battle.
Friday evening in Marrakech, an individual was arrested after stealing an official vehicle . The pursuit launched by law enforcement ended in a traffic accident, neutralizing the fugitive.
Former Belgian comedian Moraad El Kasmi, on the run since a 100,000-euro contract was placed on his head, was arrested in Marrakech. He fell alongside other major drug barons from Antwerp.
The gendarmerie has put an end to the activities of a dangerous fugitive. Wanted across the country for drug trafficking, the man nicknamed "Ould Zmane" was finally apprehended following a major law enforcement operation.
A confidential police note reveals preferred destinations for fugitive French criminals . With more than 200 individuals wanted, Morocco stands out as the main destination, particularly favored by drug traffickers.