Monday 24 February 2025 
By: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- The Moroccan drug mafia is a growing threat to Europe and North African countries, according to a recent report by the African Institute for Security Studies.
The report reveals that the Moroccan drug cartel, known as the “Mocro Mafia”, controls a third of the cocaine market in Europe. This illegal activity is fueled by corrupt politicians, facilitating the smuggling of drugs from South America and cannabis plantations in Morocco to ports in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Corruption plays a crucial role in the activities of the Moroccan drug mafia. Smugglers are paying bribes of up to 100,000 euros to container transport workers at the Dutch ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam to avoid police and customs checks.
The Netherlands and Belgium have become centers of money laundering by the Moroccan mafia, which uses, in particular, the purchase of diamonds in Antwerp and the acquisition of real estate in Belgian territory.
The Mocro Mafia is also known to use violence to extend its control over the cocaine market. Over the past decade, more than 100 people have been killed in violence between the Moroccan mafia and Belgian drug traffickers.
The growing threat of the Moroccan drug mafia cannot be ignored. European and North African authorities should take immediate action to combat corruption, drug smuggling and violence associated with mafia activities.
It is essential that governments work together to put an end to the illegal activities of the Moroccan drug mafia and guarantee the safety of European and North African citizens.
Link to the report: https://issafrica.org/iss-today/moroccos-mocro-maffia-threatens-europe-and-north-africa