A Moroccan court sentences 29 prominent people in major drug trafficking and corruption case
MARRAKECH, Morocco — A major trial in Morocco has resulted in prison sentences for 29 individuals, including high-profile politicians, sports figures, and business leaders, in connection with an international drug trafficking and corruption scandal that has sent shockwaves through the country.
Following a trial lasting over two years, the court also imposed hefty fines totaling hundreds of millions of dollars on the defendants.
The scandal unfolded when a notorious drug lord known as the “Sahara’s Pablo Escobar” alleged that his associates, including influential Moroccan politicians, were involved in drug trafficking and had seized his assets while he was incarcerated. The accused individuals have denied these accusations.
The revelations led to a series of arrests and a lengthy legal process involving 30 defendants, 18 witnesses, and two civil parties. The case reignited discussions about corruption within Moroccan political circles and prompted King Mohammed VI to call for the implementation of a legally binding code of ethics to promote transparency in parliament.
Among the prominent figures sentenced were Abdennebi Bioui, a construction magnate and former lawmaker, who received a 12-year prison term and a fine of $15,989, as well as Said Naciri, a former lawmaker and president of a prominent soccer club, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Other defendants were handed prison sentences of up to nine years and fines up to $26,649, with one individual being acquitted. Charges included drug and gold trafficking, corruption, forgery, and violations of exchange control regulations.
Assets belonging to several defendants, including Bioui and Naciri, were seized by the court, with financial penalties amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars to be paid to customs authorities.
As the sentences were read out in court, protests erupted from the defendants, with some proclaiming their innocence. The tense atmosphere culminated in scenes of panic and sorrow within the courtroom.
The trial also shed light on international gold trafficking allegations involving the accused individuals, with reports linking them to illicit activities in various countries.
Morocco, a significant producer and exporter of hashish, continues to grapple with drug trafficking issues despite legalizing cannabis cultivation for specific purposes. Its geographical proximity to Europe has made it a strategic location for narcotics smuggling.
