Rabat – Five people were detained on Thursday by members of the Prefecture of Judicial Police in Casablanca and Marrakech on suspicion of being involved in the trafficking of over 150,000 bottles of the Azote Protoxyde gas.
According to information from Morocco’s General Directorate of National Surveillance (DGST), the gas was suspected of being used for an anesthetic other than that for which it was intended.
Azote Protoxyde is a colorless gas, with a slightly sweet smell and taste, which is used in anesthesia, surgery, dentistry, and pediatrics due to its anesthetic and analgesic properties.
The suspects were arrested during simultaneous security operations in Casablanca, Marrakech, and surrounding areas.
The first suspect was apprehended immediately after arriving in Casablanca aboard a cargo van importing 18 boxes containing dozens of bottles of the nitrogen peroxide gas, used for purposes other than anesthesia.
Suspected to be associated with this psychotropic substance trafficking operation, two other people were also taken into custody in Casablanca after they were found in possession of an additional 333 bottles of this narcotic gas.
Additionally, police found that the two suspects were concealing large quantities of additional shipments of the same chemical in a warehouse outside the town of Berrechid. Over 50,000 bottles of all sizes and capacities were confiscated in Casablanca.
Meanwhile, the two remaining suspects were arrested in Marrakech. They were found in possession of over 100,000 small bottles and 22 large ones of the narcotic gas Protoxyde Azote.
Also seized was a significant amount of cash suspected of being the proceeds of the sale of this substance used in anesthesia.
All the suspects were subjected to judicial investigation, which is being conducted under the supervision of the competent public prosecution.
Investigations will identify the remaining extensions of this criminal activity at the national level, uncover its possible intersections, and arrest all the contributors and participants involved in this case.
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