Spain Celebrates Arrest of ‘Mocro Mafia’ Kingpin
In early January, Spanish authorities celebrated the arrest of Karim Bouyakhrichan, the most dangerous and powerful kingpin of the ‘Mocro Mafia’. The Dutch authorities were also pleased, as Bouyakhrichan, a Dutch citizen of Moroccan origin, had been on their radar for five years. His arrest was particularly significant after the Mocro Mafia threatened to kill the heir to the Dutch throne, Princess Amalia of Orange.
Bouyakhrichan’s Disappearance After Release from Prison
However, Bouyakhrichan’s whereabouts have been unknown since 1 April, shortly after his release from prison on the Costa del Sol. This followed a series of controversial decisions by magistrates and judicial outcomes. The story that could have ended with the escape of the Maghrebi kingpin from Spain began on 10 January when the magistrate’s court in Marbella ordered Bouyakhrichan to be remanded in custody.
Release on Bail and Subsequent Disappearance
On 22 February, Malaga provincial court released the alleged leader of the Mocro Mafia on bail, with lax precautionary measures. After handing in his passport at the Marbella court the day after his release from prison, the mafia boss signed in to the courts on the outskirts of Malaga on 1 and 15 March and again on 1 April. But after the latter date, there is no record of him doing so again.
Flight Risk Acknowledged by Judges
Details of the surprise release on the appeal are still unknown, but the Malaga court of appeal took this decision despite strong opposition from the anti-drugs prosecutor’s office. In the release order, the judges even acknowledge “there is indeed a risk of absconding, given that the appellant is a foreign citizen, and there is no evidence that he has real estate in Spain, where he has been living in a house owned by his wife”.
Arrest Warrant Issued by Dutch Authorities
By that time, Bouyakhrichan was already the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Dutch authorities, only hours after his arrest in Marbella. The warrant reached Spain’s High Court (Audiencia Nacional) without a problem. The case went to court headed by Judge Ismael Moreno, who immediately processed the warrant, but it was not activated as the Malaga provincial court refused to do so.
Extradition and Possible Escape
Spain’s High Court could have issued an arrest warrant at that time to secure his extradition, but it did not do so either, and it is not known why. Bouyakhrichan did not show up for the date with the Spanish High Court, or for any of his regular court appearances. According to sources in the case, he could have fled Spain some weeks ago.
Outrage in the Netherlands Over Escape
His escape has provoked outrage in the Netherlands. Its liaison judge met in person with magistrate Ismael Moreno to express his concern over the release and escape of what the ministry of the interior itself defined in January, after his capture, as the “most wanted and dangerous criminal in the Netherlands”.
Details of the January Police Operation
In the January police operation in which the Maghrebi was captured, a total of six people were arrested and 75,000 euros, jewellery worth 10,000 euros and two firearms were seized. In addition, 172 properties worth 50 million euros and nearly three million euros in bank accounts were blocked.
Complex Criminal Organisation
The investigation revealed the existence of a complex company based in Morocco, the Dominican Republic, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates and Spain. The criminal organisation used intermediaries, as well as the ‘Hawalla’ methodology and the use of front men to launder significant amounts of money with which they subsequently acquired movable and immovable property.
Bouyakhrichan’s Family Ties to the Mocro Mafia
Bouyakhrichan, a Dutch citizen of Moroccan origin, is the brother of Samir Bouyakhrichan, who was murdered in Benahavís in 2014 and from whom he inherited the leadership of one of the most important groups of the Mocro Mafia.
