In a shocking turn of events, the lifeless body of a young civil engineer, who had been missing for 20 days, was discovered in an abandoned well in the Khayita region of Settat on Saturday afternoon. The circumstances of his disappearance and subsequent death have raised serious suspicions of foul play, particularly as the well is reportedly used by a drug trafficking network known for distributing ‘bofa’ and other illicit substances.
The recovery operation was complicated by the well's significant depth, exceeding 80 meters, necessitating a substantial deployment of Royal Gendarmerie and civil protection services. Despite the challenges, investigators have initiated a probe following directives from the public prosecutor, amid reports suggesting the victim was murdered and that his body was disposed of in the well, as indicated by the local news outlet “As-Sabah”.
Interestingly, authorities had previously received a call from an anonymous source requesting the closure of the abandoned well due to an influx of drug addicts in the area, heightening the risk of accidental falls. However, upon closer examination, it was revealed that the timing of this call coincided suspiciously with the date of the victim’s disappearance, suggesting a deliberate attempt to obscure the crime by implicating authorities in the destruction of the well post-mortem.
The engineer vanished on September 23rd while visiting an area controlled by a notorious drug trafficking gang alongside a relative to procure illegal substances. After entering the site, he failed to return, prompting his relative to inquire about his whereabouts to various individuals, including members of the drug network, car guards, and other addicts, but to no avail. Concerned for their loved one’s safety, the victim's family promptly reported his disappearance to the Royal Gendarmerie, suspecting that he had fallen victim to a crime, and subsequently filed a complaint with the public prosecutor's office at the Court of Appeal in Settat.
The case of the missing young engineer had perplexed the community until the grim discovery of his body. It is believed that he may have been involved in a dispute with a member of the drug trafficking group inside the site, resulting in a violent altercation that led to his untimely death. To conceal the crime, the perpetrators allegedly decided to temporarily dispose of his body in the well until they could transport it elsewhere for permanent disposal. However, their plan failed due to the difficulties in retrieving the body from the deep well.
Following the recovery, the body was sent to the forensic department for an autopsy, as directed by the public prosecutor, with everyone awaiting the medical report to uncover the true cause of death. Meanwhile, the gendarmerie has commenced investigations to apprehend any individuals connected to this tragic incident.
It is worth noting that this notorious drug trafficking network has established a stronghold in the Khayita region, transforming it into a fortress for illegal activities where various forms of contraband, including alcohol, are showcased in multiple vehicles. A large, guarded parking area is allocated for client vehicles, and entry is strictly controlled by organized groups of around 20 individuals, facilitating the purchase of illegal goods. Reports suggest that this operation generates daily profits exceeding 10,000 dirhams, according to reliable sources.
As reported by marrakechalaan.com.
