BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- The recent revelation of the “Pablo Escobar of the Sahara” scandal has shaken Morocco, exposing unexpected connections between drug trafficking and the political realm. The investigation into the networks of Moroccan-Malian drug lord Hadj Ahmed Ben Brahim has brought to light the intricacies of cannabis trafficking to Algeria, pointing fingers at a key political figure and casting a troubling shadow over the Moroccan political landscape.
Portrait of the “Pablo Escobar of the Sahara
Hadj Ahmed Ben Brahim, known as the “Malian” or the “Pablo Escobar of the Sahara,” is a 47-year-old man recognized as a major player in the Moroccan drug trade. His name took center stage in an investigation that rattled both power circles and organized crime.
Arrested in Mauritania in 2015 and then in Morocco in 2019, he eventually decided to cooperate with authorities after four years of detention. His explosive revelations led to the arrest of around twenty individuals, including influential figures like Saïd Neciri, president of Wydad de Casablanca, and Abdenbi Bioui, a real estate magnate. Both Neciri and Bioui are also members of the leadership of the Party of Authenticity and Modernity (PAM), a party within the government coalition.
Disturbing Revelations
The case took a new turn when Hespress revealed the name of a key figure in the cannabis trade between Morocco and Algeria. This individual, identified by the initials B. M., is the son-in-law of Abdenbi Bioui. According to reports, B. M. established a complex network, both logistical and human, to transport significant quantities of cannabis directly from production sites in Morocco to Algerian territory.
These revelations sparked outrage among the Moroccan public, shedding light on potential connections between drug trafficking and the political sphere. Accusations against a former deputy, moreover, the son-in-law of an influential businessman, intensified pressure on Moroccan authorities to uncover the truth behind the case and prosecute the alleged perpetrators.
Consequences on Regional Security
These revelations come at a time when the Algerian People’s National Army (ANP) reported a series of record seizures of processed cannabis coming from Morocco. According to the Algerian Ministry of National Defense, ANP elements thwarted several attempts in 2023 to introduce more than 57 tons of processed cannabis into Algeria from Moroccan borders.
These massive seizures underline the extent of drug trafficking between the two neighboring countries and raise concerns about the consequences for regional security. Algerian authorities consider drug trafficking a serious threat to the country’s stability and are making sustained efforts to counter this menace.
The Case Rocking Morocco
The “Pablo Escobar of the Sahara” case has brought to light the dark intricacies of drug trafficking in Morocco and the troubling links between this trade and the political world. Revelations about the involvement of a former deputy and a member of a government party have raised questions about collusion between organized crime and circles of power.
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