Moroccan authorities have arrested a 66-year-old Libyan national who was the subject of an international arrest warrant issued by Libyan judicial authorities. The arrest was made in Bouznika, near Rabat, in an operation involving local police and members of the Royal Gendarmerie. The suspect faces charges related to international drug trafficking and had previously been sentenced to life imprisonment in Libya before escaping from prison in 2011.
According to police, the suspect was identified as being the subject of an Interpol Red Notice after checking his database records. The Libyan judicial authorities had issued the international arrest warrant in an effort to bring the suspect to justice for his alleged involvement in a criminal network involved in international drug trafficking. The suspect was first arrested in Libya in 2002 on suspicion of links to the network.
The suspect's arrest is part of Morocco's commitment to fighting cross-border crimes and intensifying international security cooperation. Morocco has long been a key player in regional security efforts, and the country's approach to handling crimes has been praised by Interpol. In 2025, Morocco hosted the 93rd General Assembly of Interpol, where the country's chief of the General Directorate of National Security and Territorial Surveillance, Abdellatif Hammouchi, reiterated Rabat's firm commitment to contributing to strengthening global security cooperation.
The arrest was made possible through cooperation between Moroccan law enforcement agencies and Interpol. The National Central Bureau, Interpol Rabat, is now tasked with notifying Libyan authorities pending the extradition proceedings. The extradition process will likely involve close coordination between Moroccan and Libyan authorities to ensure that the suspect is brought to justice.
Morocco's efforts to combat transnational organized crime have been recognized by Interpol, which has frequently emphasized the importance of the country's security approach in handling crimes and contributing to regional stability and peace. The country's commitment to hosting the 93rd session of Interpol was seen as a demonstration of its dedication to strengthening multilateral security cooperation.
According to Abdellatif Hammouchi, Morocco's hosting of the 93rd General Assembly of Interpol was a testament to the country's active engagement in consolidating the international coalition against the threats posed by transnational organized crime. The assembly provided a platform for countries to discuss and address the challenges posed by organized crime and to strengthen cooperation in the fight against it.
The suspect is currently in custody in Morocco, pending extradition to Libya. The arrest and subsequent extradition proceedings demonstrate Morocco's commitment to upholding the rule of law and cooperating with international authorities to bring fugitives to justice. The case highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating transnational crime and ensuring that those who commit crimes are held accountable.
Key points
- Moroccan police arrest 66-year-old Libyan national wanted by Interpol for international drug trafficking
- Arrest made possible through cooperation between Moroccan law enforcement agencies and Interpol
- Morocco reaffirms commitment to fighting cross-border crimes and intensifying international security cooperation
