Disruption of an International Cannabis Smuggling Network Between Morocco and Guinea-Bissau Through Tight Security Coordination Between Rabat and Dakar
In a meticulously coordinated operation that underscores the depth of cooperation between Morocco and Senegal in combatting organized crime, the Central Office for the Fight Against Illicit Drug Trafficking in Senegal (OCTRIS) dismantled an international network specializing in cannabis smuggling, active along the route connecting Morocco to Guinea-Bissau via Senegal.
Senegalese media confirmed that this security achievement resulted from precise intelligence coordination with Moroccan authorities, which played an active role in tracking the network’s movements and identifying those involved.
The operation, carried out on Monday in the “Pikine-TecnoPol” area on the outskirts of Dakar, led to the seizure of approximately 25 kilograms of cannabis and the arrest of three suspects, including a Senegalese national who also holds Guinea-Bissau citizenship, along with other citizens from the same country.
The beginnings of this case trace back to earlier this month, when a Senegalese citizen working in transport and residing in Marrakech reported to authorities that he found 6 kilograms of cannabis hidden inside two electric water heaters. Following this, and based on detailed information provided by Moroccan counterparts, a “controlled delivery” operation was executed by replacing the narcotic with a fake substance.
On October 13, a network member arrived to collect the suspicious package from a warehouse in the “Yarakh” area in his private vehicle. He was subsequently tracked by Senegalese security forces and arrested along with two others inside an apartment in the “Pikine-TecnoPol” neighborhood, where the largest quantity of drugs was discovered.
Initial investigations revealed that the main suspect, identified as “B.D.” and holding both Senegalese and Guinea-Bissau nationalities, initially attempted to evade responsibility by claiming that his role was limited to transporting drugs to Guinea-Bissau. However, he later acknowledged the existence of an individual named “B.L.T.” residing in Guinea-Bissau, believed to be the mastermind behind the network.
The Senegalese police, in an official statement, confirmed that the operation resulted in the seizure of 250 slabs of cannabis (100 grams each), totaling 25 kilograms, in addition to several suspicious documents and equipment, including passports from various African countries (Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Spain), identity cards, checkbooks, bank cards, five mobile phones, and two light vehicles.
The police confirmed that the arrested individuals are being held in custody while investigations continue to uncover further accomplices and dismantle all extensions of this cross-border network.
