Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport
©Google maps/
Audric Laverdière
Peter felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around with sick dread. Two armed men stood behind him. One grabbed Peter’s suitcase by the handle.
“Moroccan Security Services. We need you to come with us.”
Thirty minutes later, Peter waited in handcuffs, the eight packages of cocaine he’d tried to smuggle now stacked on the table in across from him.
The official shook his head. “You were very foolish, young man.”
Just then a familiar figure walked in. It was the dealer, Omar. Except instead of the expensive suit he’d had on when he sold the cocaine to Peter, he wore the same uniform as the Moroccan Security Service. Omar caught sight of Peter and laughed. He hoisted a duffel bag onto the table and proceeded to pack the cocaine inside. He turned to the official. “No time to chat today. I’m meeting a Brazilian in two hours.”
—
149 words
This has been an edition of What Pegman Saw. To read more stories inspired by the prompt or to submit your own, click here.
You would think when I’m the one finding the prompts I might have an idea what to write about when Saturday morning rolls around, but it turns out I’m not that smart. I was stumped. Then, google to the rescue–I came across this headline: Brazilian Arrested with 6 Kgs of Cocaine at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport. What was astonishing to me was the related articles at the bottom of the page:
Turkish Passenger Arrested with 2 Kg of Cocaine at Mohammed V Airport
Peruvian Passenger Arrested for Cocaine Trafficking at Mohammed V Airport
Ghanaian Flier Arrested with 9.6 Kg of Cocaine at Mohammed V Airport
Of course my go-to is always to jump to wild conspiracy, and The Moroccan Smuggling and Security Service was born. Plus, these guys just look scary.
k. Rawson 
If I was stumped it was only because of the vast number of possible stories one could write about Casablanca. Seems Omar is taking advantage of the adage, “there’s a sucker born every minute.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent story. Funny too. No doubt a cottage industry, with all the fines and so forth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It seems there’s no shortage of smugglers, even in spite of the regular arrests!
LikeLike
Oof, that must have been a body-blow for Peter! You’ve written a good story at flash fiction length,. Do you think you might want to expand it? It looks to have loads of potential!
All the best
Penny
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Penny! I think I need to spend my time traveling the world so I can write it 😉
LikeLike
What a cute story, Karen. Peter is a putz, but Omar is a toad, and yet I feel for both of them. Hope you enjoy your world travels!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kelvin!
LikeLike
I love how your inspiration came from the news article – right on.
I was stumped – but decided to write about the movie casablanca….
LikeLiked by 1 person
I sued to watch a show called “locked up abroad” – this reminded me of that 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I used to watch that too! Yeah, it’s that sort of thing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great scam! I wonder how many times he’s sold that same cocaine? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s got quite the racket. Thanks for reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poor Peter! Bet he will be kicking himself as he cools his heels in the jail. Wonder if Omar gave the tip off, collecting double price on the cocaine. Nicely done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s been duped for sure. Thanks for reading, Dahlia!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Karen,
Peter certainly got caught with his hand in the cookie jar, didn’t he? I find it hard to garner much sympathy for him. Good one.
I feel you about prompt choosing. I’ve often been stumped by the prompts of my own choosing. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hehe I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who manages to stump themselves.
Peter is not a very sympathetic fellow, but I have to thank you for that comment because you’ve just given me an idea for a different story I’m working on! Thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person