Moroccan Police Bust International Drug and Money Laundering Ring in Marrakech

In addition to the four Frenchmen, a Malian and a Senegalese were also arrested. During his interrogation, one of the members of the network admitted to having converted money on the foreign exchange black market at a bureau de change owner’s place. During the search, investigators discovered a sum of 200,000 euros (nearly 2,160,000 dirhams) and arrested five suspects in a villa, reports Al Massae.

The preliminary investigation reveals that the members of the network were in the habit of investing in foreign exchange trafficking in Marrakech with the complicity of the owner of a bureau de change.

In the wake of this, the latter was arrested. He is said to have illegally converted a large sum of money into foreign currency. During the searches at the suspect’s home, who also owns a tobacco shop, the investigators found a large quantity of contraband cigarette packs with falsified customs stamps that he was reselling on the market.

The alleged leader of the gang had a colossal sum in his bank account and was the protégé of some very influential personalities. Suspicions weigh on his fortune and his projects, in particular the rental of villas and apartments for unknown reasons. One of the defendants is being prosecuted in custody for forgery, illegal purchase of foreign currency and vacation checks, while another is incarcerated in the Oudaya prison. The latter is accused of fraud, drug trafficking and insulting the judicial police.