A 29-year-old man has been charged in Paris over his alleged role in a sprawling money-laundering operation tied to international drug trafficking, in a case that investigators say moved hundreds of millions of euros through European financial channels.
Bassam Z. was placed under formal investigation on Thursday on suspicion of organized money laundering and was jailed pending a hearing before a detention judge, according to judicial sources.
Alleged Collector for a Vast Network
Investigators suspect the man served as a collector for the network, allegedly gathering roughly €24 million in Belgium and the Netherlands on behalf of Lahoucine Aourik Soussi, described as the suspected head of the organization.
A source close to the case said the network had reached an “industrial” level of operation, processing large volumes of illicit cash across multiple countries.
More Than €1 Billion Over a Decade
Police estimate the network laundered €319 million between 2019 and 2025 alone, and more than €1 billion over the past decade.
The charges against Bassam Z. mark the first time investigators have established a direct link between the network and money generated by cocaine trafficking, the source said.
Pattern of High-Profile Cases
The case adds to a series of recent French investigations into large-scale financial crime, following probes involving the rapper Gims, allegedly corrupt police officers and so-called cash-courier kingpins.
Authorities have not disclosed further details about the ongoing investigation or potential additional suspects.
