Marrakech – Border police at Marrakech-Menara Airport arrested a 32-year-old French national on Tuesday for possession of a falsified passport. The suspect was wanted by Interpol for kidnapping and unlawful detention linked to drug trafficking disputes.
According to security sources, the arrest occurred during routine border controls when authorities detected the fraudulent travel document.
A technical examination of the suspect’s mobile phone revealed digital evidence suggesting his involvement in international narcotics and psychotropic substances trafficking networks.
Database verification through Interpol confirmed the individual was subject to a red notice issued by the Paris National Central Bureau (NCB).
#التعاون_الأمني_الدولي
مطار مراكش المنارة..توقيف مواطن فرنسي متلبسا باستعمال جواز سفر مزور، مبحوث عنه على الصعيد الدولي من قبل القضاء الفرنسي، وذلك لتنفيذ حكم قضائي لتورطه في الاختطاف والاحتجاز باستعمال العنف في إطار تصفية الحسابات بين شبكات ترويج المخدرات. pic.twitter.com/YpHQt8vzGh— DGSN MAROC (@DGSN_MAROC) January 21, 2026
The notice sought his arrest for executing a judicial decision regarding his alleged involvement in kidnapping and violent detention cases. These charges stem from territorial disputes and score-settling between drug trafficking networks in France, according to the same sources.
Security officials stated that what initially appeared as a simple document forgery case quickly escalated into an international criminal matter. The technical phone analysis provided evidence linking the suspect to transnational drug operations.
The arrested individual has been placed in custody under the supervision of the prosecutor’s office. Judicial authorities are conducting investigations to clarify all circumstances surrounding the case and determine the criminal acts attributed to the suspect.
Interpol’s NCB in Rabat, under the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), has been tasked with notifying French counterparts about the arrest. Officials are preparing the extradition file for transmission to French authorities.
According to security sources, the arrest reflects ongoing international security cooperation, involving the use of police databases to track internationally wanted individuals, with digital evidence helping establish links to cross-border criminal and drug trafficking networks.
French authorities are expected to proceed with formal extradition procedures once they receive the complete case file from Moroccan officials.
Read also: Interpol Chief: Morocco Is ‘a Country of Security and Peace’
