Dutch Drug Lord Karim Bouyakhrichan Accidentally Released from Spanish Prison
A billionaire Dutch drug lord, Karim Bouyakhrichan, accused of leading the Mocro Maffia, was accidentally released from prison in Spain due to a bureaucratic mix-up regarding a Dutch extradition request.
The error was discovered in March, and Spanish authorities are confident they will find him.
Justice Minister Félix Bolaños acknowledged the escape as "worrying news" but assured the public that they will bring Bouyakhrichan back to face justice.
The Mocro Maffia, a group of Europe's largest cocaine trafficking cartels, has smuggled billions of euros worth of cocaine from South America into the EU over the past 15 years.
They utilize the large ports in Amsterdam and Rotterdam for drug transportation and conduct money-laundering operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Morocco.
Dutch media have linked these cartels to threats against Princess Amalia of the Netherlands, leading her to live in Spain for safety reasons due to kidnapping threats from the organized crime world.
Mr. Bouyakhrichan, also known as "Taxi," was arrested in January 2023 for money laundering through the purchase of over €50m worth of properties in Spain.
He is a high-profile criminal who had been wanted by Interpol for at least five years.
His brother, Samir, is believed to have founded one branch of the Dutch-Moroccan criminal organization Mocro Maffia before being killed in 2014.
After his brother's death, Mr. Bouyakhrichan is alleged to have taken over control of his brother's criminal empire.