Morocco police seize 14,000 narcotic pills at Tanger Med port

Morocco police intercepted an attempt to smuggle more than 14,000 narcotic pills through Tanger Med Port after a freight truck arrived from Spain.

Security services discovered the shipment during an inspection carried out with trained sniffer dogs. The drugs were hidden inside the structure of a Moroccan registered international transport truck that had arrived on a ferry from a Spanish port.

Authorities seized 14,245 psychotropic pills, including 11,145 Rivotril tablets and 3,100 Trankimazin tablets. Police arrested the Moroccan truck driver and launched an investigation to identify possible accomplices and determine any links to local or international trafficking networks.

The operation forms part of Morocco police efforts to combat drug trafficking and psychotropic substance smuggling. Security authorities have intensified inspections at border crossings and ports to disrupt criminal networks involved in the illegal drug trade.

According to official figures, Moroccan law enforcement handled 92,346 drug related cases in 2024 and arrested 119,692 suspects, including 287 foreign nationals. Authorities also seized nearly 124 tons of cannabis, 1.9 tons of cocaine, 16.5 kilograms of heroin, and more than 1.4 million psychotropic substances during operations across the country.

In another annual assessment, police reported handling 106,117 cases and arresting 134,126 individuals, including 378 foreigners. During those operations, authorities confiscated around 170 tons of cannabis and its derivatives, more than 1.7 tons of cocaine, 5.9 kilograms of heroin, and over 1.59 million psychotropic tablets, including 350,572 ecstasy pills.

Morocco has also expanded cooperation with European partners to target international trafficking routes. Joint operations with Spain included six controlled delivery missions that led to the seizure of more than 55 tons of cannabis and the arrest of 38 suspects.

The latest seizure at Tanger Med Port reflects ongoing efforts by Moroccan authorities to strengthen border security and support international initiatives against transnational drug trafficking.