Major Drug Kingpin Arrested in Spain: Moroccan Supplier to European Cartels Caught

The drug baron was arrested at his home in Barcelona, from where he coordinated various drug trafficking operations, from Morocco to Spain via the strait. Once in the Iberian Peninsula, the drugs (hashish and cocaine) are then recovered by the Messi and Los Castaña clans who distribute them throughout Europe, reports EFE.

To read: Spanish ’Lord of the Port’ Drug Kingpin Arrested in Major Cocaine Trafficking Bust

The accused, aged 43 and of Moroccan origin, was the subject of an international arrest warrant. He was arrested this week with 16 other people after a two-year investigation by the Civil Guard. Five phones and two laptops were seized during his arrest.

To read: Spanish Police Bust Major Moroccan Hashish Ring, Seize 6 Tons of Drugs

The searches carried out in Barcelona, Vigo (Pontevedra) and San Roque allowed the dismantling of this vast drug trafficking network, active in the strait for about twenty years, as well as the seizure of nearly one million euros in cash, 10 high-end vehicles, a boat, watches and jewelry worth more than three million euros.

This year, the Moroccan and his network would have introduced about 4,300 kg of hashish into Spain at San Pedro del Pinatar (Murcia) and 1,800 kg of cocaine on the Galician coast. A cargo of seven tons of cocaine was intercepted during his arrest.