Moroccan authorities have arrested Belgian-Moroccan drug trafficker Mounir El B., known as «Gino», at Belgium’s request, Dutch newspaper PZC reported on Tuesday. He had been hiding in Morocco after receiving prison sentences totalling nearly 40 years in six Belgian cases involving drug imports and drug-related violence.
According to the report, Morocco’s Interpol bureau arrested him late last week. Citing De Morgen, PZC said police had previously searched for him during raids in Rabat and Tetouan without locating him. Belgium has transferred two case files to Moroccan judicial authorities, asking them to take over his prosecution.
El B. is the fourth prominent figure from Antwerp’s drug scene to be detained in Morocco, following Abdelilah El Messaoui, nicknamed «Black», Mohamed B., known as «Kikker», and Moraad El Kasmi, known as «Glamourboy». His Belgian convictions include an 11-year sentence in a drug case involving Omar Govers.
In 2020, a dispute involving El B., his brother Ilias and a criminal associate helped trigger Antwerp’s «Nachtwacht» operation. The conflict led to firebomb attacks targeting family properties. A €100,000 reward was later offered on social media for anyone who handed «Gino the Thief» over to his criminal associates. El B. allegedly continued his criminal activities from abroad.