Spanish Authorities Seek Moroccan Cooperation in Civil Guard Killings Investigation

This article covers the tragic incident involving the deaths of two Spanish Civil Guard officers, David Pérez and Miguel Ángel González, who were killed when their patrol boat was rammed by a suspected drug trafficker's speedboat in the port of Barbate on February 9. The Spanish authorities have arrested eight individuals in connection with the incident, which highlights the dangers faced by law enforcement in combating drug trafficking along Spain's southern coast.

Spanish Authorities Seek Moroccan Cooperation in Civil Guard Killings Investigation
Two Spanish Civil Guard boats in pursuit of drug traffickers in the Strait of Gibraltar

Spanish security forces in Cádiz have identified the Moroccan suspects involved in the killings of two Civil Guard officers in Barbate, believed to be hiding in the Douar Dalia area of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, according to Spanish media sources.The Spanish authorities are now awaiting approval from Morocco to proceed with the arrests of those implicated in the February 9 incident, where officers David Pérez and Miguel Ángel González were killed by a drug trafficking boat in the port of Barbate.

Confidence in Moroccan Cooperation

Pedro Fernández, the Government Delegate for Andalusia, expressed confidence on Friday in Morocco's willingness to assist in identifying the individual responsible for the attack. He emphasized that the ongoing investigation is still active and that a request for cooperation has been made to Moroccan authorities. This request aligns with the existing framework of collaboration between Spain and Morocco, particularly in judicial matters related to counterterrorism and organized crime.Fernández reiterated his "absolute confidence" that Moroccan authorities will work alongside Spanish judicial officials and the Civil Guard to identify the perpetrator of the tragic Barbate Port attack and bring them to justice.

Urgent Call for Diplomatic Action

In light of these developments, a Civil Guard association has urged the Spanish Ministry of the Interior to expedite diplomatic efforts with Morocco to apprehend the "killers of their colleagues in Barbate." Pedro Carmona, the national spokesperson for the Civil Guard, stated, "We want to express our full support for our colleagues who are diligently working to identify and locate those responsible for the murders in Barbate."Carmona emphasized the necessity of obtaining permission from Moroccan authorities as soon as possible to facilitate the arrest and extradition of the suspects, thereby ensuring justice for this serious crime. He called on Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to accelerate the required diplomatic procedures with Morocco to bring these criminals to justice.

Ongoing Investigations

The investigations initiated by Spanish authorities following the incident have revealed that the primary suspect in this attack is a Moroccan national named Karim.This case highlights ongoing challenges in cross-border cooperation and the complexities of addressing crime linked to drug trafficking in the region. As Spain grapples with these issues, the call for swift action underscores the urgency of international collaboration in combating organized crime and ensuring accountability for violent acts against law enforcement officials.