Rabat – Security forces from Spain and Morocco have jointly arrested 30 Moroccans and Spaniards suspected of drug trafficking, said Spain’s National Police in a communiqué on Sunday.
“The collaboration of the Moroccan authorities was essential in the arrest of some members of this criminal organization who had fled to Morocco,” the Spanish police said, adding that the detainees were targeted by a joint investigation conducted by the security services of the two countries.
Moroccan security services arrested ten individuals associated with this network in Morocco, including the alleged leader and his son, who were in the possession of false passports. The two individuals were subject to two international arrest warrants.
The 30 arrested people were part of a criminal gang known as “Los Castañas”, considered as “the largest drug trafficking network operating in the Campo de Gibraltar area (southern Spain) – and also involved in money laundering,” said the statement.
The operation to arrest the gang elements was launched in 2015. It resulted in the seizure of one ton of hashish, EUR 350,000 in cash, 16 vehicles, three inflatable boats and firearms.Police also seized 17 properties worth EUR 3 million and blocked 24 bank accounts belonging to several members of the network.
