Moroccan Court Imposes Heavy Sentences in 'Escobar of the Sahara' Drug Trafficking Case

A Moroccan court has sentenced former political and business figures to prison terms of up to 12 years for international drug trafficking and money laundering.

• The Casablanca court sentenced former Eastern Region president Abdelnabi Baayou to 12 years in prison.
• Former parliamentarian and Wydad Casablanca president Said Naciri received a 10-year sentence.
• Abdelnabi Baayou's brother, Abdelrahim Baayou, was sentenced to nine years.
• The defense lawyers boycotted the trial in protest of a proposed law on the legal profession.