Rabat – Moroccan national Abdellah El Haj Sadek El Menbri, known as the “Messi of Hashish” has reportedly been living a public life in Frideq, the Moroccan town nearest to Ceuta, despite being one of Europol’s most wanted fugitives due to drug trafficking.
The scandal has made its way to the headlines of various Spanish news outlets, including El Faro de Ceuta, raising questions about how he continues to enjoy a public life in Morocco without facing any apparent consequences.
Dubbed the “Messi of Hashish” for his admiration of the Argentine football star Lionel Messi, El Menbri has not only allegedly evaded authorities but has also organized parties featuring well-known Moroccan artists.
The latest shocking revelation was that he has even participated in football matches, as seen last Sunday when he joined a daytime football game as part of Morocco’s amateur league.
Local photographers captured an image of the match referees standing alongside the captains of both teams. A photo posted on the Fnideq football team’s official Facebook page shows “Messi” posing alongside the referees, wearing a red and white jersey with a captain’s armband.
A report by Alyaoum24 delved into the astonishing public appearances of El Menbri and how he continues to maintain a high-profile lifestyle despite being featured as one of the EU’s most wanted fugitives.
Spanish media has connected El Menbri with Castana clan, who is notorious for his involvement in massive drug smuggling operations across the Strait of Gibraltar.
El Menbri was added to the list of the EU’s most wanted fugitives in September 2022, but his whereabouts remained unknown until recent photographs began circulating of him at various social events, seemingly without any legal repercussions.
Social media users in both Morocco and Spain are questioning how such a situation is possible, considering the numerous stories, reports, and allegations surrounding El Messi del Hachis.
