Major Moroccan Drug Ring on Trial in Spain: 15 Accused Face Hefty Sentences

The trial had been postponed to February 1, at the request of the lawyer of one of the accused, during the hearing last September, judicial sources told Europa Press. The prosecution has requested 13 years in prison against the defendants, including two for belonging to a criminal group, six for offenses against public health, three for possession of weapons and two for money laundering, as well as the payment of fines of up to 12 million euros.

To read: Major Spanish Drug Lord "El Pantoja" Faces Trial for Moroccan Hashish Trafficking

The head of the network called "Los Pantojas", specialized in the trafficking of hashish from Morocco to the Andalusian coast and throughout Europe, was arrested in June 2020 after being located in Chiclana de la Frontera (Cadiz). He had been actively sought since the network was dismantled during a joint operation carried out in May 2020 by Civil Guard and National Police agents.

To read: Spanish Coast Guard Seizes 353 Kilos of Moroccan Hashish in Mediterranean Drug Bust

The operation had led to the arrest of 36 alleged members of the network and the seizure of 4,300 kilos of hashish, 19 vehicles, nine semi-rigid boats, pleasure boats, fishing boats and jet skis, numerous electronic, telephone and nautical equipment, a machine gun as well as a large sum of cash.