فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
An ongoing Spanish investigation into a cross-border hashish smuggling operation has unveiled new details regarding a secret tunnel connecting Morocco and Ceuta. This tunnel, discovered earlier this year, was used by a drug smuggling network in collusion with Spanish Civil Guard officers.
The investigation revealed that the network used “half a dirham” as a secret code—a split Moroccan coin used by smugglers and corrupt officers alike. Transport trucks carrying hashish held one half of the coin, while the inspection officers held the matching half. When the halves matched, trucks were allowed to bypass security checks and inspections, facilitating the smuggling operations.
Court testimonies from a member of the smuggling network detailed full coordination with Spanish security officials, with claims that “secret agents” orchestrated these operations.
Investigators have identified the tunnel’s owner as a Spanish national, who remains at large amid ongoing efforts to locate and arrest him. Spain has formally requested Moroccan cooperation, as the tunnel is thought to connect to an underground exhibition space used to conceal drug shipments originating from Morocco’s side.
This case is part of Spain’s broader “Operation Hades,” which uncovered the tunnel during a February 2025 raid near the Tarajal border crossing area in Ceuta. About 50 meters long and 12 meters deep, the tunnel was reinforced and equipped with lighting, linking the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta to the nearby Moroccan town of Fnideq. Authorities suspect it was utilized for years to transport tons of hashish into Europe via the porous border region.
Since the discovery, the warehouse covering the tunnel was sealed, and investigations proceeded covertly until May 2025, when documents declassified naming over 20 suspects—including Moroccans and Spaniards—surfaced.
The informant’s testimony before Spain’s National Court marks a breakthrough, exposing how the low-tech “half dirham” coin code enabled corrupt officers to allow passage for trucks without scans or inspections. This insider complicity reflects tactics used in other international border operations.
Challenges remain due to the tunnel owner’s evasion, complicated by Ceuta’s EU status and the proximity of Fnideq just 100 meters away, which facilitates cross-border flight. The “underground exhibition” likely refers to a commercial façade concealing the smuggling passage, as initial raid photos of false walls suggest.
Spain’s formal request for assistance through a mutual legal cooperation treaty with Morocco, effective since 2015, has not yet received a public reply. This lack of response strains bilateral relations against a backdrop of intensified migration and drug trafficking tensions. Despite Morocco’s increased drug seizures, concerns persist about underreporting of trafficking cases in Ceuta to avoid diplomatic conflicts.
Public reaction on social media remains subdued, mainly comprising reposts of the Tanja7 article in Arabic, with some critical voices condemning corruption, and others linking the issue to economic desperation in Fnideq. No major coverage has occurred in English yet, but developments may escalate following potential arrests.
| Key Elements | Investigation Details | Status as of September 13, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Tunnel Specifications | 50 meters long, 12 meters deep, reinforced, lit | Sealed; no detected reuse |
| Smuggling Method | Trucks hiding hashish, “half dirham” coin signals | Over 20 suspects charged; informant testimony ongoing |
| Corruption Aspect | Spanish Civil Guard officers allegedly colluding | 5-7 officers under investigation; no convictions yet |
| Tunnel Owner | Spanish citizen, identity known | At large; Spain seeks Moroccan intelligence |
| Legal Cooperation | Formal request sent to Morocco | No response; linked to “underground exhibition” access |
This high-profile case illustrates the €2-3 billion annual hashish trade across the Strait of Gibraltar, with Ceuta as a critical chokepoint. Despite record seizures in 2025, traffickers continue adapting through complex tunnels. Further updates from Spain’s National Court hearings are anticipated next week.
