Interpol-Wanted French Suspect Arrested in Morocco for Luxury Watch Theft Ring

In a statement, the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) indicates that it has arrested a French national of Algerian origin at the "Mohammed V" Airport in Casablanca, for his alleged involvement in "the activities of an organized crime gang, specialized in theft". The international arrest warrant was issued by the French authorities.

The accused is suspected of being involved "in the theft of luxury watches, exhibited at the International High Watchmaking Fair in Geneva and whose value is estimated at 2.4 million euros". The events are said to have taken place in 2017.

Aged 38, the Frenchman was taken into custody and the Moroccan justice system must rule on his possible extradition to France. The DGSN also indicates that the French authorities have been informed "of this arrest to expedite the extradition file".

Last month, a Franco-Algerian, also under an international arrest warrant, issued by the French authorities, had been arrested at the Marrakech airport. He had been on the run for 7 years for a drug trafficking case.