Moroccan Drug Lord with Interpol Red Notice Arrested at Colombian Airport

Doha – A Moroccan citizen wanted internationally for drug trafficking charges was arrested at José María Córdova International Airport in Rionegro, Colombia, Colombian Migration authorities announced on January 30.

According to Colombian media reports, the arrest took place during routine immigration controls when officials identified that the Moroccan national, whose identity has not been disclosed yet, was the subject of an Interpol red notice.

“Colombian Migration handed over the Moroccan citizen, who was attempting to enter the country through Rionegro airport, to the National Police after systems showed an arrest warrant through a red notice for drug trafficking charges,” the Colombian Migration office stated on their social media platform X.

This arrest marks the second high-profile detention at the same airport within a week. On January 28, French national Nabil Abida was apprehended by Colombian authorities.

Abida, who attempted to evade arrest by claiming to be a Serbian businessman, was wanted by the 16th Correctional Court in Paris for drug trafficking and criminal association, with alleged connections to criminal networks operating across Colombia, Serbia, and Spain.

The Moroccan’s arrest adds to a growing list of foreign nationals detained in Antioquia since 2024. Local authorities have reported 26 foreign citizens arrested in the region, including Mexican national Cristóbal Fernández, German Marcel Mühlbach, and Italian Camorra member Gustavo Nocella.

The suspect was immediately taken into custody by the National Police. Colombian authorities are expected to initiate procedures for possible extradition, though the destination country has not been specified in the reports.

Colombian law enforcement officials have expressed concern about the increasing number of international criminals attempting to use Medellín as a potential hideout while evading international law enforcement.

The Moroccan national is currently in police custody while legal proceedings continue. More details about the suspect’s identity and the specific charges are expected to be released as the case develops.