Doha – In their commitment to combating drug trafficking, Moroccan authorities have played a pivotal role in the capture of Karim El Baqqali, a 32-year-old Moroccan national wanted in connection with the deaths of two Spanish Civil Guard officers in Barbate, Spain earlier this year.
El Baqqali, who had been in hiding in Morocco since the February incident, surrendered to the Civil Guard in the province of Cadiz on Thursday morning after months of intense investigation and cooperation between Spanish and Moroccan law enforcement.
Pedro Fernández, the Spanish Government Delegate in Andalusia, emphasized the importance of Morocco’s collaboration in a press conference, stating, “The absolute cooperation of Morocco has been fundamental in the arrest of Karim El Baqqali.”
He added, “This arrest brings some relief to the families and the Civil Guard, who have felt this investigation as their own.”
According to Spanish authorities, El Baqqali, also known as “Karim the Angry,” is suspected of piloting the narco-boat that rammed and killed officers Miguel Ángel González and David Pérez on February 9 in the port of Barbate.
The tragic incident sparked a massive manhunt and a complex investigation involving the Civil Guard’s Central Operational Unit (UCO).
Fernańdez further highlighted the significance of the arrest, noting that it demonstrates the effectiveness of thorough investigation and international cooperation in combating drug-related crime.
“We continue in the fight against drug trafficking,” he asserted, emphasizing the importance of bringing those responsible for the “vile murder” to justice.
In addition to El Baqqali’s arrest, Spanish authorities have requested international arrest warrants for three other individuals believed to have been aboard the narco-boat during the fatal encounter.
The ongoing investigation, which remains under judicial secrecy, has revealed close ties between El Baqqali and Abdellah El Merabet — alias “Pus Pus” — an alleged leader of a major drug trafficking organization operating on the Costa del Sol.
Prior to his surrender, El Baqqali had been hiding in his home village of Dalia, located between Tangier and Ceuta. Sources familiar with the case revealed that he had taken extreme precautions in recent weeks, aware that the Civil Guard was closing in on him.
Despite his attempts to maintain a low profile, the pressure from the international investigation ultimately led to his decision to turn himself in.
El Baqqali’s reputation for violence and impulsiveness, which earned him the nickname “Karim the Angry,” made him a key figure in his uncle’s drug trafficking operation.
His arrest deals a significant blow to the organization and sends a strong message that international cooperation can effectively disrupt even the most entrenched criminal networks.
Read also: Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez Praises Cooperation with Morocco as ‘Excellent’
