A large quantity of cannabis resin was seized by the Moroccan police this Saturday, April 22, 2023 in the port of Tangier Med. During the week, 60 kilos of cocaine had also been discovered in a refrigerated container.
Moroccan police seized Saturday, April 22, 2023 5.4 tons of cannabis resin in the port of Tanger Med, on board a truck bound for Spain, according to the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN).
National Security and Customs agents “thwarted an attempt to international traffic in 5 tons and 438 kilos of “chira” (ed.: cannabis resin) which were on board an international freight truck “, specifies the DGSN in a press release.
Driver arrested and taken into custody
According to the first elements of the investigation by the judicial police at the port of Tangier Med, the truck driver tried to use falsified export documents as he was preparing to travel to Spain.
The driver, a 45-year-old Moroccan, was arrested and taken into custody.
The drug, in the form of plates, was concealed in specially fitted cavities in the trailer and the chassis of the truck, detailed the same source.
The Cherifian kingdom is the world’s largest producer of cannabis resin, according to the UN.
In 2022, the Moroccan police had seized nearly 100 tons of cannabis resin, a decrease of half compared to the previous year, according to an annual report from the DGSN.
60 kilos of cocaine in a refrigerated container
In addition, during another police and customs operation, nearly 60 kilos of cocaine were discovered Thursday inside a refrigerated container, also in the port of Tangier Med, according to local police.
The cocaine shipment was packed in tuna entrails from Ecuador and destined for Spain.
For several years, the Moroccan police have multiplied the large seizures of cocaine, the South American cartels using the Maghreb country as a hub towards Europe.
A judicial investigation was opened under the supervision of the Tangier public prosecutor’s office in coordination with Interpol.
The Tanger Med site, on the northern coast of Morocco, is home to an important industrial-port complex, separated from Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar.
