Wanted French-Algerian arrested in Casablanca

A French national of Algerian origin, subject of an international arrest warrant issued by French judicial authorities, was arrested in Casablanca on Friday by the city’s prefectural criminal investigation department.

The individual was wanted for alleged involvement in a criminal network of international drug trafficking and money laundering, a security source said.

The suspect, aged 42, was arrested during a security operation in Casablanca. A check against the database of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) revealed that the individual was wanted internationally, by virtue of a red notice issued by the national central bureau in Paris.

According to the initial investigation, the arrested French citizen is wanted by French justice for his alleged involvement, between 2019 and 2024, in a criminal network of international drug trafficking, the security source said, noting that he is also suspected of having laundered funds from this criminal activity.

The individual was placed in police custody pending extradition proceedings, while the French authorities were notified of his arrest.