Morocco drugs gang smashed

By Pascale Harter
BBC, Rabat

The authorities in Morocco say they have uncovered a drugs cartel allegedly operated by senior judges, police and customs official in the north of the country.

Observers say this is a test for King Mohammed VI

Morocco's ministry of justice said that 18 judicial figures and businessmen are members of the drug-trafficking gang which exports large quantities of hashish to Europe.

They are now under investigation by the Special Court for Corruption, which observers say is likely to prove an acid test for the new King, Mohammed Vl.

He has made much of his promise to put an end to the corruption which tarnished his father's rule.

It is an open secret that vast areas of land in the north of Morocco are used to cultivate hashish, much of which inevitably finds its way into the European market.

But never before have the authorities discovered such a well-oiled trafficking gang with links to such high echelons within the Moroccan establishment.

Gunfight

The cartel was discovered when police arrived at the scene of a gunfight between rival gangs in the northern town of Tetouan earlier this month.

The ministry of justice named Hicham Harbouli and Moumin Remmach as the alleged leaders of the two cartels involved.

It said that when Mr Remmach was arrested he gave the names and details of members of both cartels, which has led to the unprecedented investigation.

The police said that they raided a hideout belonging to the cartels where they found boats used to ferry drugs to Europe, small arms and thousands of dollars.

At the house of one senior judge, they confiscated more than $15,000 believed to be a pay off from the drugs cartel, police said.