Former Wydad president Said Naciri sentenced to 10 years in prison over drug trafficking case

A Casablanca court has sentenced former Wydad Athletic Club president Said Naciri to 10 years in prison after convicting him in a major international drug trafficking case that has gripped Morocco for months.

The ruling was handed down by the Criminal Chamber of the Court of Appeal in Casablanca following the conclusion of a lengthy trial involving multiple defendants accused of operating within a transnational drug network.

Naciri was found guilty on several serious charges, including involvement in drug trafficking, forgery, influence peddling and attempted fraud.

Prosecutors argued that he played a central role in facilitating criminal activities linked to a wider network operating across borders.

The case, widely referred to in local media as the “Escobar of the Sahara” affair, has drawn national attention due to the high-profile figures implicated, spanning politics, sport and public administration.

Investigations into the network reportedly began in 2023, leading to the detention of Naciri and several co-accused.

The prosecution described the group as part of an organised criminal structure led by an international trafficker known as “Escobar of the Sahara.”

During proceedings, Naciri denied all allegations against him, maintaining his innocence throughout the trial. His legal team is expected to review the verdict and determine whether to pursue an appeal.

The court’s decision marks one of the most significant corruption-related convictions involving a senior figure in Moroccan football administration in recent years.