Major Revelation to Dzair Tube: Moroccan Analyst Laidoudi Exposes High-Profile Figures, Including King Mohammed VI’s Advisor, Under Investigation for Drug Trafficking in the ‘Escobar of the Sahara’ Case”
BY: Dr. Hana Saada
ALGIERS- Morocco, renowned for its role as a global hub in hashish trafficking, is currently embroiled in a dark international drug trafficking case that is shaking the nation. Dubbed the “Pablo Escobar of the Sahara,” Hadj Ahmed Ben Ibrahim, a man with a complex and mysterious past, has made explosive revelations leading to the arrest of twenty individuals, including prominent public and political figures. This case sheds light on the dark underbelly of drug trafficking in Morocco and its intricate ramifications.
In this vein, Moroccan political analyst Badr Laidoudi has reported that Fouad Ali El Himma, an advisor to King Mohammed VI, is currently under direct investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for his involvement in drug trafficking. Laidoudi states that the DEA is conducting a parallel inquiry, exerting pressure on the public prosecutor’s office and the judicial police responsible for the investigation into this case.
In an interview with the Algerian private channel Dzair Tube, the Moroccan activist said that the investigation has expanded to include several other notable figures, heightening the complexity of the situation. Some of the key individuals implicated in the case include:
1. The Director-General of Space Police.
2. The President of Wydad Casablanca Football Club.
3. Abdenbi Bioui, a prominent figure.
4. The Moroccan Minister of Justice.
5. The Secretary-General of the Constitutional Union.
Former security officials are also under scrutiny as part of the ongoing investigations.
The suspicion currently points towards the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), a major political party in Morocco. Additionally, high-ranking generals and officers are involved in the case. Among those accused are as stated by the guest of Dzair Tube:
1. Mohamed Yassine Mansouri, the head of internal and military intelligence, known to be a close friend of both King Mohammed VI and Fouad Ali El Himma.
2. Fouad Ali El Himma himself.
According to Laidoudi, the investigations are focused on accusations of drug trafficking involving these figures and their associates.
The political analyst further discloses that there are a total of 247 prominent Moroccan personalities facing legal action due to their involvement in drug trafficking activities. The case has sent shockwaves through the political, military, and security circles, raising questions about the extent of corruption and illicit activities within the country.
“Pablo Escobar of the Sahara”: Unveiling the Complex Tale of Morocco’s Drug Baron
The “Malian” and His Vengeance
Hadj Ahmed Ben Ibrahim, also known as the “Malian,” is a 47-year-old man with dual Moroccan-Malian nationality. His notoriety stems from his involvement in international cocaine trafficking. In 2019, he was arrested at Casablanca airport upon returning from Mauritania, where he had served several years in prison for the same offense.
However, what makes this story exceptional is the recent turn it has taken. After carefully plotting his revenge behind bars, Hadj Ahmed Ben Ibrahim decided to cooperate with authorities to disclose the sordid details of his drug trafficking network. The names he mentioned are far from unfamiliar.
Among the twenty individuals arrested and placed in custody are police officers, gendarmes, businessmen, real estate developers, a notary, and even the president of Wydad Casablanca, Saïd Neciri, the most decorated football club in Morocco. Another significant individual, real estate tycoon Abdenbi Bioui, has also been arrested. Both men are leaders of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), a political party within the Moroccan government led by Aziz Akhannouch. The involvement of these two political figures gives the case national significance and considerable media resonance.
The Weighty Legacy of the “Pablo Escobar of the Sahara”
Hadj Ahmed Ben Ibrahim was no small-time drug trafficker. Dubbed the “Pablo Escobar of the Sahara,” he was a baron of hard drugs, smuggling shipments of cocaine from Latin America to West Africa and then to Europe, using a network with international ramifications. Upon his arrest in 2015 by Mauritanian gendarmes, his vehicle was carrying no less than three tons of cocaine. The comparison with the famous Colombian drug lord is not exaggerated.
The rise of Hadj Ahmed Ben Ibrahim is the result of a series of extraordinary circumstances. Born in Mali in 1976 to a Malian father and a Moroccan mother, he was initially a simple camel herder. His life took an unexpected turn when he helped a lost Frenchman in the desert, who, in gratitude, gifted him a car. Far from succumbing to corruption, he sold the car and sent the money back to its owner, establishing a relationship of trust. The Frenchman then introduced him to a network importing cars from Europe.
Taking advantage of the growing instability in the Sahel region and his perfect knowledge of the desert, Hadj Ben Ibrahim quickly shifted to drug trafficking. He gradually established a drug trafficking network, initially focused on Moroccan cannabis, before diversifying into Latin American cocaine. His activities allowed him to accumulate immense wealth, lead a luxurious life, and associate with dignitaries in Morocco and other countries, even in Latin America, where he married the daughter of a Bolivian general.
An Affair Shaking Morocco
In Morocco, this case has sparked significant public interest, highlighting the deep-seated ramifications of drug trafficking within Moroccan institutions and revealing the transition from hashish trafficking to hard drugs. Morocco, once famous for its hashish, must now confront a new reality.
The “Pablo Escobar of the Sahara” has unveiled not only the intricacies of drug trafficking in Morocco but also the complicity of high-ranking individuals in this illicit trade. The case questions the stability and integrity of the country’s institutions and raises concerns about the need for comprehensive reform.
Dzair Tube Media Group
Dzair Tube has firmly established itself as a prominent player among Algerian digital news sites, offering a diverse and enriching content experience. The platform, available in Arabic, French, and English editions, captures the attention of a wide-ranging audience, amassing over half a million daily clicks.
A testament to its commitment to excellence, Dzair Tube received the prestigious President of the Republic’s Award for Professional Journalist in the Electronic Press category on October 22, 2022. This recognition underscores the platform’s unwavering dedication to upholding the highest standards of journalism.
With a significant online presence, Dzair Tube boasts 350,000 subscribers on YouTube, over five million followers on various Facebook pages, and 450,000 subscribers on Instagram. Its digital channel has become a hub for diverse programming, covering news, sports, entertainment, culture, and religion, catering to a broad spectrum of audience preferences.
Equipped with state-of-the-art studios and advanced technology, Dzair Tube’s digital channel has garnered substantial viewership for its varied programs. Hosting interactive discussions with influential figures across different domains, the platform actively fosters public discourse and engagement. Beyond news coverage, Dzair Tube extends its commitment to the production of marketing documentaries, short TV commercials, and high-viewership programs.
The success of the print edition of Dzair Tube’s sports newspaper, “Dzair Sport,” further highlights the platform’s impact, with over 50,000 daily downloads from the official Dzair Tube website.
Recently honored with the Media Leadership Award from the Minister of Communication, Mohamed Laâgab, Dzair Tube continues to shape the landscape of Algerian digital news, maintaining a position of influence and impact in the media industry.
