Gibraltar-Based Moroccan on Trial for International Drug Money Laundering Network

Since October 8, 2024, the members of the network have appeared before the Ceuta court of justice. The network is involved in the illicit transfer of money from international drug trafficking via pleasure boats belonging to famous Moroccan personalities, reports Assabah. The investigations carried out by the Spanish security services show that the MRE who heads the network has had time to enrich himself by creating active companies in different fields and by acquiring real estate and other assets such as sports cars, large-displacement vehicles, jewelry, agricultural land or even pleasure boats, while he has no declared source of income. All of these assets are registered in the names of his friends and relatives.

During a search of his home in Cadiz, the Spanish police found a sum of 525,000 euros in banknotes, which would be the proceeds of illegal activities. They suspect that the MRE is about to launder the "dirty money" through investments in several projects. The police also seized other sums of money from intermediaries, also Moroccan nationals acting within the same criminal network. In short, the network operates regularly between Morocco and European countries.

About ten wealthy Moroccans with dual nationality are also targeted by the investigations. The leader and members of the network will be tried for drug trafficking, forgery of official documents, money laundering, and fraud.