The Spanish National Court will be reviewing on Thursday Morocco’s extradition request for Mohammed B., a suspect accused of leading a criminal organization involved in drug trafficking and the clandestine transportation of people, with a sentence of 15 years in prison.
Moroccan authorities claim that Mohammed B. is the main mastermind behind a gang engaged in international drug trafficking, particularly hashish.
Authorities also say that his wife is the owner of a boat used for both drug smuggling and transporting people, including their family members.
According to the Spanish Prosecutor’s Office, Moroccan Royal Gendarmerie investigations discovered the boat loaded with four large jerry cans of gasoline on August 21, 2022, as it attempted to reach port.
The boat lacked documentation, and drugs were found hidden in the rack.
To avoid complications due to Mohammed B.’s wife being Spanish, the gang allegedly appointed another member to manage the boat through a power of attorney.
Mohammed B., born in 1980 in Morocco, was arrested on October 19 and has been in custody since.
Despite opposing extradition during a court appearance in January, the Spanish Public Prosecutor’s Office believes that the extradition requirements are met.
These include double criminality, as the crimes are punishable in both countries, the absence of expiration of charges, and Mohammed B. being of legal age and not holding Spanish nationality.
The Prosecutor’s Office has requested additional information from the Moroccan authorities regarding the drugs seized from the boat to support the extradition request.
In April 2022, the Morocco-Spain cooperation agreement in fighting crime, signed in 2019, came into effect. The agreement aims to enhance collaboration between the two countries against crime.
The agreement covers a wide range of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, illegal immigration, child sexual exploitation, and child pornography.
The agreement also extends cooperation to combat extortion, theft, and illegal trade of weapons, explosives, and other dangerous materials.
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