Court rejects temporary release plea in case of drug Lord Erramach
Morocco, Judicial, 12/24/2003

The Rabat-based special court of justice rejected on Monday the temporarily release request made by the defense concerning 27 involved in the case of Moroccan drug lord, Mounir Erramach, who is prosecuted along with senior police, county police and customs officials, as well as magistrates, court clerks, a local official and businessmen.

The defense had pleaded for the temporary release on the basis of the assumption that anyone shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

These people are facing charges of power abuse, corruption, public funds embezzlement, international drugs trafficking, non-denunciation, non respect of confidentiality as well as complicity.

The court has been investigating for three months with the 32 members of the group, including Erramach.

The case started when Mounir Erramch, 29, and 17 others were brought before the Tetouan Court of Appeal after a dispute broke out between two rival groups in this Northern Moroccan city.

The defendants also face charges of "criminal association, international drugs trafficking within an organized network, premeditated homicide attempt, unlicensed possession of firearms."

Investigations showed that Erramach had established dubious relations with senior officials in the region to facilitate his illegal activities.

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