A scandal erupted in Spain after one of the key figures in the Dutch Mocro Maffia was released. Firas T., a relative of well-known crime boss Ridouan Taghi, was detained back in June while attempting to leave the country via the Tarifa border checkpoint. He was suspected of links to a major drug trafficking network targeted in a large police operation in the Netherlands.
Although all the formalities for extradition had been completed, the transfer process was delayed. The Spanish authorities failed to meet the legal deadline of ten days, which could be extended by another ten. As a result, on September 12, the National Court ruled to release Firas T., as his continued detention had become unlawful.
Case materials note that the decision to extradite the suspect came into effect on August 7, 2025. However, by August 27, the maximum term had already been exceeded and no objective reasons for the delay were recorded. Firas T.’s lawyer took advantage of this situation and secured his client’s release. In his view, the case was a result of a police error linked to bureaucratic delays in the Sirene office, responsible for international police cooperation.
Meanwhile, Mocro Maffia has long been considered one of the most dangerous criminal groups in Europe. Its members specialize in international cocaine trafficking and have repeatedly been involved in high-profile clashes. Ridouan Taghi himself, now 47, was sentenced to life in prison in February for orchestrating six murders. In 2022, due to threats from this mafia, Dutch Crown Princess Amalia was forced to live under protection.
Spanish police have not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident. It is known that Firass T. was even transferred from Botafuegos prison (Algeciras) to Malaga, which usually indicates an imminent extradition. However, after all legal deadlines expired, the court was forced to release him.
The news has caused bewilderment in the Netherlands. The country’s prosecutor’s office publicly expressed surprise that the extradition did not take place and promised to investigate the reasons behind it. This is not the first incident of its kind: last year, another Mocro Maffia leader, Karim B., also avoided extradition due to procedural errors and was released on bail.
