Seizure of 17 tons of hashish unveils international drug trafficking network

Investigation following the seizure last week in the port of Algesiras, Spain, of 17 tons of hashish revealed the existence of a 7-member international network of drug trafficking, said head of Tangier regional security, Abdelaziz Tzou.

The group includes two Moroccans settled in Spain, one in Netherlands, two Dutch, one Spanish and one Turkish, he said at a press briefing in Tangiers Thursday, adding that an international warrant has been issued for their arrest by Interpol.

The substance was loaded in a truck carrying tomatoes and zucchinis in Ain Atiq, near Rabat, Tzou said, adding that the arrest of the truck driver enabled the police to identify the network members and the seizure of 5 trucks, two cars and other equipment used for the trafficking.

Two warehouse guards, a hotel owner and three receptionists were arrested, while the three owners of two warehouses are still on the run, including one already sued for drug trafficking.

Two policeman who have been serving last weekend have been suspended for neglect, and an investigation is underway to determine whether they are involved, the head of Tangiers police added.