A fourth suspect has been arrested in connection with an attempted international drug trafficking operation involving a helicopter in northern Morocco, as investigations continue into a network believed to operate between Morocco and Spain.
According to Hespress AR sources familiar with the case, the latest arrest was carried out late Saturday by members of the Royal Gendarmerie under the Tangier regional command. The suspect was detained at a residence in the village of Dchicha in the province of Fahs-Anjra, near Tangier.
The arrest comes as Moroccan and Spanish authorities continue a joint investigation into the thwarted smuggling attempt, which triggered heightened security measures across northern Morocco.
Sources said the newly arrested individual is one of three suspects who had remained at large following the operation. Investigators are still searching for two other fugitives, as well as the alleged mastermind of the network, who remains on the run.
Authorities believe the suspects are linked to an international drug trafficking organization operating between Morocco and Spain. Ongoing investigations have led to the identification of additional individuals suspected of providing logistical support for the helicopter allegedly used in the smuggling operation.
The case first emerged nearly three weeks ago when Royal Gendarmerie officers intercepted a rented Volkswagen Touareg believed to be connected to the trafficking attempt. Investigators traced the vehicle through its registration records, leading them to the rental company and helping uncover links to the wider network.
Search operations carried out following the initial intervention in the Beni Ouassine area, near Melloussa outside Tangier, resulted in the seizure of several items, including Spanish mobile phone SIM cards, face masks, bladed weapons and quantities of hard drugs.
Investigators also determined that the arrested suspects and those still at large were allegedly working on behalf of a major drug trafficker operating across the Morocco-Spain corridor.
The helicopter case comes only weeks after another unusual incident involving a light aircraft that reportedly entered Moroccan airspace before quickly departing, raising questions about the use of aerial routes by transnational criminal networks.
Authorities have not released further details regarding the ongoing investigation, which remains active on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar.
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