CNN —

One of the suspected masterminds behind a string of violent kidnappings in France of people linked to the cryptocurrency trade was detained Tuesday in Morocco, France’s justice minister said.

Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, a 24-year-old French-Moroccan citizen from just outside Paris, was wanted by France for several crimes, including armed extortion and kidnapping as part of a criminal gang, according to the “ red notice ” for him published by Interpol and Moroccan state media.

French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin thanked Morocco on X for detaining the man, citing the “excellent judicial cooperation” between the two countries.

Bajjou had “multiple bladed weapons of different sizes” in his possession when he was taken into custody, as well as “dozens of mobile phones and c

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