Morocco: A Growing Epicenter of Drug Trafficking – 3.6 Tons of Hashish Seized, Internal Complicity Exposed

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | December 17th, 2024 — The Moroccan authorities have seized 3.6 tons of hashish concealed within a fish meal cargo destined for export, exposing the growing role of Morocco in the international drug trade, particularly to Europe. This operation, carried out at the Casablanca port, has raised alarms about the complicity of certain institutional figures and entities involved in facilitating such trafficking activities.

The seizure, which involved 3,619 kilograms of hashish, was discovered hidden inside a shipment bound for Belgium. The drugs, extracted from cannabis, were found as part of a controversial operation that has shed light on the increasing use of Morocco as a major hub for illicit drug trafficking. More troubling, the drugs were found in an officially registered production site, and the shipment was accompanied by paperwork approved by a customs official, suggesting a network of internal complicity.

Investigations have revealed a sophisticated operation involving a driver, plant managers, and a customs official, further implicating institutional corruption. The discovery has sparked shockwaves in both economic and security circles, especially since it involved a publicly traded company listed on the Casablanca Stock Exchange. Despite the gravity of the situation, the company’s stock market activities were not significantly disrupted, raising serious concerns about the vulnerability of Morocco’s financial system in handling such major scandals.

This operation exposes the glaring inadequacies in the country’s institutional surveillance, particularly when such high-stakes illicit activities are being facilitated by a company with financial backing. Furthermore, it underscores the larger problem of Morocco’s strategic position as both a producer and exporter of hashish, with international trafficking networks taking full advantage of the country’s proximity to Europe.

Morocco’s geographic location has long made it a prime source for the illicit drug trade, but this recent case suggests the country has evolved from merely a transit point for narcotics to a central player in supplying Europe with dangerous substances. In addition to this operation, several other incidents have highlighted Morocco’s increasing involvement in the drug trade. Earlier this year, authorities in Brazil intercepted over a ton of cocaine on a vessel in the port of Itapoa, South Brazil, that was en route to Morocco, and eventually Europe.

In another alarming development, the Spanish Civil Guard recently arrested a Moroccan migrant, residing in France, attempting to smuggle 46 kilograms of hashish through Ceuta’s border. This further illustrates the expanding reach of Moroccan trafficking networks that are exploiting borders and ports to facilitate their operations.

These repeated cases indicate a disturbing trend: Morocco is no longer just a transit route for illicit drugs but is becoming a pivotal nexus in the global narcotics supply chain. The growing internal complicity, coupled with the exploitation of weak institutional controls, signals an urgent need for stronger oversight and greater efforts to combat drug trafficking at both the national and international levels.

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