'Sahara's Escobar' case: Former officials sentenced to lengthy prison terms for drug trafficking and corruption

A Casablanca court has handed down significant prison sentences to prominent Moroccan figures in a high-profile drug trafficking case. Said Naciri, the former president of the WAC Casablanca football club, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He faced charges including forgery, participation in drug trafficking, fraud, and abuse of power.

Abdelnbi Biyoui, formerly the president of the Oriental region, received a harsher sentence of 12 years. He was convicted on charges including forgery and involvement in drug trafficking. Biyoui's brother, Abdelrahim Biyoui, was sentenced to nine years for offenses related to personal freedom violations.

Additionally, former parliament member Belqasem M. was sentenced to 10 years for charges including forgery, bribery, and facilitating illegal border crossings. The court also ruled on cases involving 28 defendants, with nine choosing to testify and the rest, including Biyoui, remaining silent.

Naciri maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, denying all accusations. The defendants were initially arrested in December 2023 as part of a broader investigation that included businessmen, designers, company managers, and public officials. The case, dubbed "The Sahara's Escobar," highlights significant corruption and organized crime within the region.

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He maintained his innocence and denied all accusations.