Rabat – Security services at the Tangier-Med port thwarted a major international drug trafficking operation, seizing 1.35 Tonne of cocaine on Monday.
A statement from the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) said security services identified the drugs during search operations.
“The control and search measures carried out by the national security services raised suspicions concerning the method of sealing a container on board a cruise ship bearing the flag of a European State which had departed from a port in Brazil bound for the ports of Antwerp and Portbury,” DGSN said.
The search operation has led to the discovery and seizure of cocaine hidden in 40 black suitcases.
The findings of the investigation revealed that the smuggling of cocaine of this quantity was carried out using the criminal method “rip-on / rip-off.”
The method consists of breaking the customs seals on a container that are intended to be exported to the country of embarkation, loading the containers with cocaine, and then attaching counterfeit and illegal seals.
The judicial police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the case in order to identify the people involved, and to arrest those linked to the network involved in the attempted drug trafficking.
The operation is part of Morocco’s efforts to combat drug trafficking.
All security services in Morocco collaborate in the fight against drug trafficking.
Security services have arrested many suspects and seized important shipments of drugs at the port.
In July, police and customs services at the Tanger-Med Port arrested a 54-year old man in possession of 2.85 kilograms of cocaine.
A 2020 report from the DGSN said that the country’s security services seized 132 kilograms and 167 grams of cocaine last year.
During security operations, police also seized 476,923 psychotropic pills, 8 kilograms and 501 grams of heroin, and more than 217 tonnes of cannabis.
