Rabat – Sweden’s public broadcaster SVT has highlighted security cooperation with Morocco after Moroccan authorities arrested a Swedish national wanted internationally in Agadir on October 13.
The 22-year-old suspect was arrested in the Talborjt neighborhood after Moroccan security services received information from the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST), according to Morocco’s General Directorate of National Security (DGSN).
A check of Interpol databases confirmed that the suspect was the subject of an international arrest warrant and a Red Notice issued at the request of Swedish judicial authorities.
Sweden is seeking to enforce a prison sentence against the man in connection with cases involving drug trafficking, attempted murder, and participation in a criminal gang, according to the DGSN.
Following instructions from the public prosecutor’s office, Moroccan authorities placed the suspect under extradition procedures. Morocco’s National Central Bureau of Interpol in Rabat also notified its Swedish counterpart of the arrest.
SVT reported on Thursday that the case marked the fifth arrest of a wanted Swedish national in Morocco in one month.
Swedish National Police Commissioner Petra Lundh thanked Moroccan security services for their cooperation, commending the joint efforts to track down suspects wanted by Swedish authorities.
Morocco-Sweden security cooperation
The latest arrest follows a series of operations targeting Swedish nationals suspected of involvement in serious crimes.
In September, Moroccan authorities arrested several Swedish nationals wanted in connection with attempted murder, drug trafficking and weapons-related offenses. On September 4, Swedish authorities also announced the extradition of two Swedish nationals from Morocco who were suspected of playing key roles in major drug-trafficking networks.
The arrests come amid closer security ties between the two countries. Morocco and Sweden signed in April a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation between Morocco’s DGSN and DGST and the Swedish National Police.
The agreement aims to improve information sharing, police training and coordination against organized crime, drug trafficking, terrorism, cybercrime, human trafficking and other cross-border offenses. Sweden also expressed interest in integrating Morocco into a European network for tracking wanted individuals.
