Morocco, long recognized as the world’s leading producer and exporter of cannabis, is increasingly becoming a key hub for international cocaine trafficking. This growing concern was underscored by a recent Spanish security operation that seized nearly three tons of cocaine smuggled into Spain via the Guadalquivir River.
The operation, led by Spain’s National Police and Civil Guard, targeted a group of traffickers attempting to smuggle the cocaine alongside four military-grade weapons. According to Spanish news outlet El Faro de Ceuta, the traffickers had used a warehouse in La Puebla del RÃo, Seville, as a storage site. Authorities arrested four individuals involved in the operation, with investigations revealing that the group’s guards had received paramilitary training—highlighting the increasing sophistication of these networks.
This seizure reflects a broader shift in drug trafficking patterns. Morocco, once primarily associated with hashish smuggling, is now witnessing rising cocaine flows facilitated by well-organized criminal networks. Spain, geographically close to Morocco, remains a major entry point for both cannabis resin and cocaine into Europe.
Recent reports have exposed large-scale operations by Moroccan criminal organizations, including the use of professional divers to transport cocaine to the northern city of Nador for subsequent export to Europe. Traffickers are also employing innovative methods, such as drones, to smuggle cannabis, showcasing their adaptability in the face of heightened enforcement efforts.
In 2023, Moroccan authorities conducted 92,346 drug-related investigations, resulting in the arrest of 119,692 individuals, including 287 foreign nationals. These operations led to the seizure of 123.97 metric tons of cannabis and its derivatives, 1.95 metric tons of cocaine, 16 kilograms of heroin, and over 1.42 million psychoactive pills, of which 773,493 were ecstasy tablets.
Spanish authorities are continuously adapting their strategies to counter these evolving drug routes. However, the surge in Morocco’s involvement in the global drug trade poses major challenges to both regional and international security. As trafficking networks become more sophisticated, collaborative efforts between nations will be crucial in combating this growing threat.
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