Moroccan authorities announced on Saturday evening the seizure of more than 53 kilograms of cocaine during a joint security operation at the El Guerguerat border post, located south of the city of Dakhla near the frontier with Mauritania.
According to a security source, the operation was conducted by the National Police in coordination with Customs officers. The narcotics were discovered after thorough inspections using sniffer dogs, which led to the uncovering of hidden compartments inside the chassis of an international freight truck carrying foreign license plates.
The truck, which had originated from a Sub-Saharan African country, was found abandoned by its driver inside the crossing point, the same source confirmed.
A preliminary investigation has since been launched under the supervision of the competent Public Prosecutor’s Office to determine the full circumstances of the case. Authorities aim to identify all individuals linked to the attempt and to investigate possible connections to broader criminal networks both in Morocco and abroad.
Officials stressed that this operation reflects the heightened vigilance and coordinated action of Moroccan security services stationed at El Guerguerat. The border post, which serves as a strategic trade and transit route between Morocco and West Africa, has been at the center of intensified efforts to combat the smuggling of drugs, psychotropic substances, and other forms of transnational crime.
The seizure underscores Morocco’s role as a key player in regional security, where authorities face persistent challenges posed by international trafficking networks operating across the Sahel and North Africa.
