Norway sees Morocco as a reliable ally in the fight against cross-border crime.
In this regard, Norway is seeking to strengthen judicial and security cooperation with the North African country, stepping up its efforts to prosecute suspected members of transnational criminal networks believed to be operating from abroad, according to various officials.
The country’s National Criminal Investigation Service, Kripos, has called for a formal bilateral framework to accelerate legal cooperation and improve the identification of key figures behind organised crime, particularly in drug trafficking.
Kristin Kvigne, head of police at Kripos, stated that since 2022 the agency has urged Norwegian authorities to achieve a higher level of cooperation with Morocco, but progress has been slow.
The Norwegian Police estimate that around 19 Norwegian citizens suspected of having links to criminal networks are currently in Morocco. Nora Pedersen, a lawyer with the Norwegian Police, stated that judicial requests sent to the Moroccan authorities are often subject to delays, mainly due to the lack of a specific legal agreement to streamline cooperation.
A member of the special forces of Morocco’s General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST) in a military helicopter – PHOTO/@DGSN_MAROC
“The requests are being processed, but very slowly,” she said, emphasising that establishing a more robust legal framework remains a priority for the Norwegian authorities.
However, the Norwegian Ministry of Justice stated that effective cooperation with Morocco already exists in the fight against serious cross-border crime, noting that existing international agreements provide a legal basis for judicial collaboration. Officials added that Moroccan authorities have responded to Norwegian requests, including in recent cases, and that there are no formal legal obstacles to cooperation.
Nevertheless, Oslo seeks to deepen coordination through improved mechanisms and ongoing dialogue with its Moroccan counterparts, with the aim of enhancing the speed and efficiency of legal processes.
The push to strengthen ties comes at a time when Norwegian authorities are warning of the evolution of criminal networks, which are increasingly operating across borders. A recent police report notes that these groups, particularly those involved in drug trafficking, have stepped up the recruitment of minors.
The report highlighted the adaptability of these networks, noting that their leaders often reside abroad and frequently hold dual nationality, which complicates efforts to extradite them to Norway.
Cooperation between Norway and Morocco has expanded in recent years. In November, Morocco’s security chief, Abdellatif Hammouchi, met with Norway’s police commissioner, Hakon Skulstad, during an Interpol meeting, where both sides signed a memorandum of understanding to improve operational coordination, intelligence sharing and joint efforts against organised crime.
According to the Norwegian authorities, strengthening partnerships with countries where suspects may be residing is increasingly crucial to combating transnational crime, as criminal groups exploit jurisdictional loopholes and global mobility to evade law enforcement.
Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director-General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance in Morocco (DGST-DGSN) – PHOTO/SOCIAL MEDIA
Morocco, a reliable partner in the fight against crime and the maintenance of security
Morocco is a reliable partner in the fight against transnational crime and in maintaining security, both in the MENA region and the rest of the world.
The work of the Moroccan security forces is significant, and they have participated in countless operations against terrorist groups and transnational criminal networks, in cooperation with key countries on the international stage.
Evidence of Morocco’s significant international cooperation is the direct and ongoing contact maintained by Abdellatif Hammouchi, head of Morocco’s General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), with key figures in security and defence from the world’s leading nations. Thus, Abdellatif Hammouchi has coordinated security matters with senior officials such as William Burns, Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Khulaifi, head of the Qatar Security Service, Frédéric Veaux, Director-General of the French National Police, Eugenio Pereiro Blanco, Commissioner-General of Information in Spain, and Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Hofairini, head of security in Saudi Arabia.