Karim Bouyakhrichan: Mocro Mafia drug lord ‘Taxi’ flees Spain after bail

Spanish police described Karim Bouyakhrichan, alias Taxi, as one of the key members of the infamous Mocro Mafia and “the most wanted and most dangerous criminal in the Netherlands” after his arrest in January.

The alleged billionaire cartel boss was one of six men detained on January 24 following an investigation into an international drug smuggling and money laundering ring.

This morning it emerged that the 46-year-old had disappeared after being released on bail after nearly two months in custody.

Spanish radio station Ser claimed that a judge from Spain’s Audiencia, based in Madrid, has now issued an arrest warrant after he failed to present himself as part of his bail conditions following his release on March 18.

Ser blamed Bouyakhrichan’s disappearance on “judicial discord” and said Dutch authorities were furious after the Netherlands formally requested his extradition, but his request was rejected.

His whereabouts today were unclear, but well-placed sources said they were confident he had fled Spain.

News of his disappearance comes days after it emerged that the heir to the Dutch throne, Catherine-Amalia, Princess of Orange, spent more than a year in Spain after threats were made against her.

According to reports in the Netherlands, the 20-year-old was living and studying in Madrid after receiving threats of kidnapping.

The Mocro mafia, whose bloodthirsty leader Ridouan Taghi was jailed for life in March, has been linked to the scare.

No official comment has yet been received from Spanish police or the Audiencia Nacional court, which has been investigating former Spanish FA chief Luis Rubiales in a separate investigation over his World Cup kiss on women’s international Jenni Hermoso.

Spanish police said in a statement after Bouyakhrichan’s arrest in January: “National police officers have arrested six people in the province of Malaga and Melilla on suspicion of money laundering and membership of a criminal organization.

“Among those arrested was one of the most important leaders of the Mocro Mafia organization, a dangerous criminal who is considered the most wanted fugitive in the Netherlands.”

Police added: “The investigation began in June 2018 into a criminal organization alleged to specialize in large-scale international drug trafficking, and specifically in the introduction of large quantities of cocaine into Spain, as well as money laundering.

“The main suspect is not only one of the leaders of the Mocro mafia, but also a historical Costa del Sol narco involved in several police investigations.”

The term Mocro is a Moroccan-Dutch slang term that describes someone with a Moroccan immigrant background, both in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Karim’s brother Samir ‘Scarface’ Bouakhrichan was shot dead by two hitmen near Marbella in August 2014. He was drinking with friends in a bar near the home of former England football manager Fabio Capello when he was targeted.