After the release on bail of Karim Bouyakhrichan, alias “Taxi”, the Spanish police were shaken by the flight of one of the main leaders of the Mocro Maffia, a well-known criminal organization in the Netherlands, who managed to leave Spain to take refuge in Morocco.
Since his escape was made public, the Moroccan authorities, in collaboration with the Spanish National Police, have been on alert, mobilizing forces and efforts to find Karim Bouyakhrichan, alias “Taxi”.
The police suspect that “Taxi” was able to escape the surveillance of the Spanish authorities by traveling to Morocco, his country of origin, despite the withdrawal of his passport.
The origin of the facts dates back to last December, when the Spanish authorities, in an operation to dismantle one of the drug clans led by “Taxi” in the city of Malaga, arrested the leader of the Mocro Maffia, previously wanted in The Netherlands. An act hailed as a major victory for Spanish law enforcement, putting an end to years of tracking.
During this arrest, 172 real estate properties, with an estimated value of 50 million euros, were seized. Police also arrested five other suspected members of the criminal group and seized 75,000 euros as well as two firearms.
Accused of having led a drug network with at least 172 properties in the south of Spain, Karim Bouyakhrichan was arrested and placed in pre-trial detention on January 10, 2024 in Marbella. On February 22, a judge at the Malaga court decided to release him provisionally under judicial supervision, against the advice of the public prosecutor’s office.
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This magistrate estimated that the withdrawal of the passport, the payment of a deposit of 50,000 euros and the obligation to report two days a month to the police were sufficient to prevent a possible risk of flight.
Bouyakhrichan’s release has raised questions about the integrity of the Spanish justice system. Many observers criticized the decision of the Malaga Provincial Court, calling it a blatant judicial error. Some even suspect corrupt motives, suggesting that some actors in the justice system may be involved in wrongdoing.
Citing the obvious risk of flight, the Dutch authorities expressed their dissatisfaction with this decision, highlighting the serious crimes for which this drug trafficker is wanted in the Netherlands.
It should be noted that the Mocro Maffia has long haunted the Dutch authorities with its criminal activities. Members of this organization are known for extreme violence and have even threatened members of the Dutch royal family, including Princess Amalia of Orange.
The Spanish government has reacted with concern to the case, emphasizing the importance of finding Bouyakhrichan and quickly bringing him to justice. Describing the situation as “worrying”, the Minister of the Presidency and Justice, Félix Bolaños, called on the Iberian state security forces to act quickly.
Spanish media emphasize that the search for this Mocro Maffia baron is concentrated in Morocco because of his family ties with his country of origin. Furthermore, members of his family present during the arrest managed to flee.
Attention is now turned to Morocco, where local authorities are actively involved in tracking down the fugitive.
