Spanish police have arrested the leader of what local media call the “dangerous clan of the Mocro Mafia”, Karim Bouyakhrichan.

Bouyakhrichan was arrested with five others earlier this month in Marbella, and charged with money laundering and membership of a criminal organisation.

The Dutch public prosecution office has confirmed the arrest of the 46-year-old from Amsterdam and said he handed himself into Spanish police on January 9.

Bouyakhrichan is the older brother of Samir Bouyakhrichan, who was murdered in Spain in 2014. The justice department said he may have come into conflict with drug gang leaders Ridouan Taghi and Rico R. Like his brother, Karim may also be involved in a conflict with the duo.

Spanish papers describe Bouyakhrichan as perhaps one of the “most dangerous and most wanted” criminals in the Netherlands.

Bouyakhrichan’s name had been popping up in numerous Spanish investigations, as an important link between gangs involved in the drug trade for money laundering purposes, with a network connecting the Netherlands, Spain, Morocco, the Dominican Republic and the United Arab Emirates.

The arrest was the result of a 10-year search, El País said and is “a blow to the Mocro Mafia network”.

Following the arrest, police seized €75,000 in cash, jewellery, guns, and 172 homes worth a total of €50 million. Bank accounts containing assets of €3 million were also sequestered.

The prosecution office has asked the Spanish authorities to extradite Bouyakhrichan to the Netherlands where he faces charges of large-scale drug trafficking. Bouyakhrichan is thought to have laundered up some €6 million since 2018 although experts think that it is likely more.