Rabat — Moroccan police, in coordination with customs authorities, seized a total of 3.9 tonnes of cannabis in Tanger Med Port.
Police said the operation foiled an attempt at international drug trafficking, targeting a semi-trailer truck transporting goods internationally.
The vehicle, which is registered in Morocco, contained drug shipments concealed inside cavities within quantities of refrigerated fish replicas. They had been prepared and packaged to facilitate the international smuggling attempt
A statement from the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) said that police arrested the truck driver, a Moroccan national, who is now in custody for further investigation to uncover all local and international links connected to the operation.
The operation is part of Morocco’s efforts to address the scourge of drug trafficking.
Last year, police handled 106,117 cases last year, arresting 134,126 individuals – including 378 foreigners.
Police also seized approximately 170 tonnes and 768 kilograms of cannabis and its derivatives, as well as more than 1.7 tonnes of cocaine, 5.9 kilograms of heroin, as well as over 1.591 psychotropic tablets, including 350,572 ecstasy pills.
Joint operations against international trafficking also marked six controlled delivery operations with Spain that resulted in the seizure of over 55 tonnes of cannabis and the arrest of 38 suspects.
Last year, DGSN also reported a significant decline — 33% — in cases linked to boufa. There was also a 38% decrease in individuals involved, and a similar 33% reduction in seizures following border control and intensified targeted operations that resulted in the seizure of 5.6 kilograms of the same drugs.