Interpol Fugitive Nabbed: Moroccan Suspect Caught in Dramatic Sea Arrest off Melilla Coast

The defendant, under an international arrest warrant issued by Morocco on July 3, was arrested during a routine check on a ship providing the maritime link between Malaga and Melilla. The Spanish police forces have stepped up checks on ships connecting the peninsula to the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla during this summer period when many Moroccans transit through the Andalusian ports to reach Morocco as part of Operation Marhaba.

During an inspection on board the ship from Malaga, the agents noticed the attitude of a passenger who was trying to avoid any interaction with the police. Checking his identity in the database revealed that the man, of Moroccan nationality, was the subject of an Interpol red notice. After his arrest, the defendant was made available to the competent prosecutor’s office, which will initiate the extradition procedure.