Rabat – Brazil’s federal police have seized one tonne of cocaine at the Port of Itapoa in Santa Catarina, with reports suggesting that the drug was destined for Morocco.
CNN Brazil reported on Thursday that the drugs were found hidden in a compartment inside a ship that was preparing to depart for Morocco, with plans to continue to Europe.
“The seizure followed the identification of unusual activity from a second vessel, which was lifting packages into the ship, raising suspicions of illegal activities,” CNN reported, noting that the suspicions were confirmed by images from the port terminal.
Following a thorough inspection, the drugs were found. The investigation lasted more than two days, the news outlet said, noting the large quantity of drugs was seized alongside five suspects from the Philippines and Montenegro.
The suspects, who are now in custody for further investigation into the case, face charges of drug trafficking.
Morocco has been intensifying efforts to address drug trafficking in recent years, focusing on dismantling major drug smuggling operations.
The North African country increased its crackdown on both local and international trafficking routes.
The latest seizure was on Wednesday, when national security services and customs seized 3.61 tonnes of cannabis resin hidden inside an international shipping container destined for aEuropean port.
Moroccan police seized more than 81 tons of cannabis in 2023.
During the same year, police also seized nearly two tonnes of cocaine as well as six kilograms and 880 grams of heroin.
Security services confiscated shipments of psychotropic substances, which amounted to 1.2 million tablets, including those of ecstasy brands.
“In the realm of drug-related cases, the ongoing year witnessed the execution of a targeted plan to combat the manufacturing and distribution of the chemical drug known as ‘L’Poufa,’” the police report added.
