The National Police have arrested a Belgian citizen of Moroccan origin at the main bus station in Madrid who was carrying a pistol, a G-3 assault rifle, and three bulletproof vests in his luggage, as reported by Cadena SER and confirmed by EL PAÍS from police sources. The 25-year-old Belgian fugitive, who was intercepted on Tuesday afternoon in a routine police check, had a warrant from authorities in his country. At the time of his arrest, he was getting off a bus from Malaga and was about to board another heading to Nantes, France. Sources suggest that the detainee may be linked to the Mocro mafia, a drug trafficking organization based in the Netherlands that has defied authorities in that country with threats against Princess Amalia and Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
This is not the first time members of this criminal organization have been arrested in Spain. Earlier this year, Karim Bouyakhrichan, considered one of the leaders of the Mocro mafia and one of the most wanted fugitives in the Netherlands, was arrested in Marbella. Along with him, six other individuals were detained, including several Spanish frontmen who allegedly helped launder at least six million euros on the Costa del Sol. The National Police blocked 172 properties, mainly large mansions in Marbella valued at over 50 million euros, and seized 178 bank accounts with a total of three million euros. The group’s main criminal activity is drug trafficking, with ties to cartels in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Bouyakhrichan’s brother was shot and killed outside a pub in Benahavís, Málaga in August 2014.
The Mocro mafia, which originated in Amsterdam, has expanded its criminal activities into Spain, where it has established connections with local criminal groups involved in drug trafficking and money laundering. The arrest of the Belgian-Moroccan citizen in Madrid highlights the international reach of this crime syndicate and the threat it poses to the security and stability of European countries. Authorities in Spain and other European nations are working together to dismantle these criminal networks and prevent them from operating with impunity.
The ongoing collaboration between law enforcement agencies in Europe has led to the arrest of several key members of the Mocro mafia, disrupting their criminal activities and seizing their ill-gotten assets. The recent arrest in Madrid is a significant blow to the organization, as it demonstrates the effectiveness of international cooperation in combating transnational organized crime. By targeting the leadership and financial infrastructure of criminal groups like the Mocro mafia, authorities aim to dismantle their operations and prevent them from further exploiting vulnerable communities.
The arrest of the Belgian-Moroccan citizen in Madrid underscores the importance of border security measures and cross-border cooperation in preventing the spread of organized crime and terrorism. The discovery of weapons and bulletproof vests in the suspect’s luggage is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by criminal organizations that operate across national borders and threaten the safety and security of law-abiding citizens. By sharing intelligence and resources, law enforcement agencies can effectively combat transnational crime and protect communities from the harmful impact of organized criminal activity.
