Dutch-Moroccan drug lord Karim Bouyakhrichan, believed to be a key figure in the notorious «Mocro Maffia» criminal organization, who managed to flee Spain, taking advantage of his pretrial release, «may be hiding in the Nador region (northern Morocco), where his family and children are located» until he can return to the Netherlands, Spanish media suspected. «After his release from Alhaurin de la Torre prison, he was able to go to the coast of Almeria, and from there to the Moroccan coast on a boat», La Razon claimed, quoting «experts». According to the same sources, his location involves many difficulties because he is a person «feared and respected» by everyone because of the money he moves and the power he has in the criminal world, in addition to the fact that «he is from that region and his contacts are very numerous». The «Mocro Mafia» is one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in Europe, as it controls the drug market on the continent, thanks to its alliance with Albanian organizations that monopolize the cocaine trade that enters Europe through the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. According to the same source, for more than fifteen years, Bouyakhrichan's organization led «one of the most prosperous branches of the Mocro Mafia». Arrested in January in Marbella, southern Spain, as part of a large-scale money-laundering investigation, Bouyakhrichan was initially slated for extradition to the Netherlands after a court in Madrid accepted a request by the Dutch authorities. However, a court in Malaga claimed he faced charges in Spain as well. Following an appeal by Bouyakhrichan, a Malaga court ordered his release in February on a €50,000 bail bond with restrictions, including surrendering his passport and regular court appearances. He reportedly disappeared after his last court visit on April 1st. Spanish Justice Minister commented on the news, calling it «worrying» and insisting authorities will «hand this person over to justice as soon as possible». Dutch officials acknowledged the confusion but stressed their cooperation with the Spanish justice system is «generally good». Bouyakhrichan's network, according to Spanish police following his arrest, was involved in «large-scale international drug trafficking, primarily cocaine importation into Spain, alongside extensive money laundering activities». Their laundering scheme, estimated at €6 million, reportedly utilized «a robust personal, maritime, and commercial infrastructure» across multiple countries.
