Marrakech – A 36-year-old Moroccan woman wanted under an Interpol Red Notice for drug trafficking has been arrested in Istanbul this week, where she had been hiding after entering the country.
According to Turkish media, the suspect, identified by the initials Z.E., was detained during an operation at a residence in Istanbul’s Avcilar district. Police had received intelligence that she had entered Türkiye and was concealing herself in the city.
The arrest followed a joint investigation by the Istanbul Police Department’s Narcotics Crimes Branch and its Intelligence Branch. The two units launched the effort as part of wider surveillance and tracking work targeting internationally wanted suspects.
Their work led officers to a house in Avcilar, where Z.E. was staying. Police then carried out an operation at the address and took her into custody. The detention took place the day before the case was made public.
Z.E. had been wanted in Morocco for an extended period in connection with drug trafficking. Moroccan authorities had requested her return and sought her extradition over the allegations.
Investigators found that Z.E. allegedly relied on her sister and close friends to move narcotics abroad. The drugs were placed in capsule form and swallowed before being carried across borders, according to the investigation.
Her network had already drawn the attention of law enforcement beyond Türkiye. Her sister and several close associates had previously been detained during operations conducted in different countries.
Following the completion of legal procedures, Z.E. was transferred to a removal center. She now faces proceedings tied to her extradition to Morocco.
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