Former Wydad Athletic president Said Naciri has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty in a major international drug trafficking case that has shaken Morocco.
Morocco's High Court convicted Naciri following an investigation into a criminal network known as the "Escobar of the Sahara", which has been linked to Malian drug trafficker Ahmed Ben Brahim, who is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence in Morocco.
In addition to the 10-year prison term, the court ordered Naciri to pay a fine of 5 million Moroccan dirhams, equivalent to approximately 1.4 billion Tanzanian shillings.
Charges Against Him
Naciri faced several serious charges, including:
Money laundering.
Participation in a drug trafficking network.
Forgery of official documents.
Producing and using forged cheques.
Abuse of power.
Corruption and other financial crimes.
How the Investigation Began
The case began in late 2023 after Ahmed Ben Brahim identified Naciri and several political leaders as his associates in the drug trafficking network.
Following those allegations, Moroccan authorities launched a wide-ranging investigation involving more than 25 people, with several politicians and business figures brought before the courts.
He Previously Denied the Allegations
During the early stages of the case, Naciri strongly denied all accusations against him, claiming he had evidence to prove his innocence. However, after lengthy court proceedings, he was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison along with a substantial fine.
The verdict is one of the most significant cases involving political and sports leaders in Morocco and has sparked widespread debate about the country's efforts to combat corruption and transnational organized crime.
