Spain and Morocco seize over 2 tonnes of cannabis
With the aid of Moroccan special surveillance, Spanish police seized over two tonnes of cannabis on Gran Canaria’s coast, according to AFP.
The collective effort found the multiple bales of hashish and two suspects in a rubber dinghy on 29th April.
The Moroccan police frequently aid Spanish investigations as they contribute “valuable elements” to ensure the investigations are carried out to a “successful conclusion”, according to press releases from the Spanish prosecutor’s office.
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On 26th April, Spanish authorities seized 25 tonnes of hashish which was hidden in a truck that had departed Morocco.
The 50 million euro marijuana find is the biggest haul Spanish authorities have seen since 2015 – where 48 tonnes were found between two trucks in the port of Algeciras.
The truck found last Friday was bound for Perpignan in the south of France and claimed to be transporting melons. However, the truck’s cover was blown due to a patrolling sniffer dog.
Spain is one of Europe’s primary entry points for drugs due to its close ties with Latin America and its close proximity to Morocco.
Hashish, a sticky brown substance made from the resin of the cannabis plant, is produced and frequently exported from Morocco.
Although Moroccan authorities legalized the cultivation and exportation of medicinal cannabis, the law did not extend to the recreational use of cannabis.
The government awarded 54 export permits for hashish and offered cannabis farmers in the northern Rif mountains the chance to grow their yields without fear of prosecution.
Despite the promised income security, many farmers remained skeptical as they were unsure if the government would match the financial income that the black market and illegal drug traders provided.
AFP
