SAA event in Morocco on Fri 26th June 2026

Security authorities arrested 23 people in connection with a controversial wedding held in the town of Azghanghan in the Nador region. Videos circulating on social media documented what were described as "shocking" scenes from inside the celebration, which devolved into a chaotic display of firearms, luxury cars, and unusual rituals.

Authorities launched a wave of arrests immediately after the videos surfaced and opened a wide-ranging investigation involving several wedding attendees, including entertainers who performed at the event. They were summoned to provide statements regarding the circumstances and organizers of the wedding.

Deviated from its usual celebratory nature, becoming an event that sparked widespread criticism on social media platforms. The circulated videos showed bizarre displays involving masked individuals in SUVs with obscured license plates, along with heavy gunfire and the ostentatious scattering of money in the street.

The host of the event, Moussa, is known to security services. Available information indicates that he is the subject of several national arrest warrants related to suspected international drug trafficking and money laundering. He had remained out of the public eye for a long time before his sudden and public appearance at this event, which was described as "provocative." This prompted an immediate security intervention, and the relevant authorities are continuing their investigations to determine the circumstances of his appearance and the nature of any entities that may have provided him with protection or facilitated his movements.

Stickers resembling the logos of organized groups were also observed on some of the cars, further increasing the sensitivity of the matter and raising public concerns. 

The newspaper explained, in its follow-up, that 23 people were arrested in the first group, including “Moussa”, and were transferred to Salé. It noted that, after further investigation, the second group of 11 people was arrested, and some weapons that appeared during the groom’s procession were seized. It indicated that officers of the Central Bureau are conducting field and technical investigations about Moussa, who was the subject of a reference investigation order issued against him, and the extensions of his international and national network.

The newspaper added that the fact that the international baron was not arrested and brought to justice, as well as the circumstances surrounding his legendary wedding ceremony, the preparation of a large hall, the bringing in of nationally famous artists, and the outing of his convoy to the public streets, hastened the dismissal of the regional commander of the Royal Gendarmerie in Nador from his duties, and his assignment to the high command of the agency in Rabat.

According to the same article, the defendants face serious charges related to forming a criminal gang, possessing a firearm without a license, firing it, international drug trafficking, and participating in it. The article also states that the Public Prosecution ordered further investigation into other suspicions to ascertain whether the international baron and members of his network were involved in providing gifts, in the form of bribes, to public officials in exchange for not performing any official duties.

Al-Sabah highlighted that the competent authorities are maintaining complete secrecy regarding the course of the investigations, pending the presentation of the members of the two groups before the competent public prosecutor in Fez or Nador. The results of the field and technical investigations will reveal the nature of the crimes committed. If it turns out that there are financial crimes, the detainees will be referred to the competent public prosecutor for financial crimes in Fez. However, if they are related to crimes of forming a gang for international drug trafficking, and possession and use of firearms, the perpetrators will be referred to the King’s Attorney General in Nador, in order to interrogate them regarding the crimes committed, and refer them to investigation and trial, to arrange the punitive penalties.