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On Sunday, Moroccan authorities seized nearly 541 kilograms of cocaine which arrived via a container from Latin America.

The container - filled with the stimulant and illegal substance - arrived at Casablanca's port, leading to the arrest of six people including a Brazilian who has been dubbed the "mastermind of a criminal network", according to the Middle East Eye.

Authorities also seized five cars that were initially meant to transport the cocaine along with "large sums of money" in Moroccan and foreign currencies.

Morocco's Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) said it is currently investigating the matter further, as they think there is a "dangerous criminal network linked to Latin American cartels".

In 2017, Morocco seized a record 2.8 tonnes of cocaine

In recent years, Moroccan authorities have noted an increase in cocaine seizures, including a 2,588 kilograms cocaine bust in October 2017.

The amount of cocaine confiscated in 2017 was 1.5 tonnes more than that of 2016. Cocaine traffickers have long been using Morocco as a transit route to Europe, and it seems the North African country is now becoming a final destination. 

"Situated between West Africa and Europe, Morocco is frequently used by traffickers on their way to Europe, as evidenced by the surge of cocaine seizures in Morocco in recent years," said a report published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

"Morocco has also been – for decades – the main source of cannabis resin found in Europe. This has already led to cooperation between Colombian and Moroccan drug traffickers," the report adds.