\Morocco has intercepted a huge consignment of cocaine worth millions of dollars from a sub-Saharan African country, in what is seen as a major blow to the international drug cartels.
The Moroccan security and customs agents seized 362 kg and 950 grams of cocaine at the El Guergarat border post, south of the town of Dakhla, on Tuesday. The drugs were hidden in 16 bundles inside the cab and bodywork of a truck registered in Morocco, according to a press release from the Directorate General of National Security (DGSN).
The truck was searched as soon as it arrived at the border post from an unnamed African country. The driver and his assistant, both Moroccan nationals, were arrested and taken into custody for further investigation.
This is the largest cocaine seizure in Morocco this year and one of the biggest in the region. It reflects the growing role of Africa as a transit point for cocaine trafficking between Latin America and Europe, as well as the increasing demand for the drug in the continent itself.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), between 2019 and 2022, at least 57 tons of cocaine were seized in or en route to West Africa, mainly in Cape Verde, Senegal, and Benin. The UNODC also reported that cocaine consumption in Africa rose by 27% between 2010 and 2019, with Nigeria, South Africa, and Ghana being the largest markets.
Morocco, which is also a major producer and exporter of cannabis, has intensified its efforts to combat drug trafficking and consumption in recent years. In 2021, the country seized over 1.4 tons of cocaine and arrested 103,000 people, including 261 foreign nationals, in connection with drug-related offenses, according to official data.
The Moroccan authorities have also adopted a new law to legalize the use of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes, in a bid to improve the living conditions of the farmers and protect them from criminal networks. The country has also set up a national agency to regulate the production and marketing of cannabis products.
The latest cocaine bust in El Guergarat shows that Morocco is determined to fight the scourge of hard drugs and prevent its territory from being used as a hub for the illicit trade. It also sends a strong message to the drug traffickers that they will face the full force of the law if they try to operate in the country.
The DGSN said that the operation was part of its intensive efforts to combat international drug trafficking, especially the illegal trade in hard drugs and psychotropic substances from outside Morocco. It added that it will continue to work closely with its national and international partners to dismantle the criminal networks and bring the perpetrators to justice.
As the world grapples with the challenges of drug abuse and addiction, Morocco is showing its commitment to safeguarding the health and security of its citizens and the region. By cracking down on the cocaine trade, the country is also contributing to the global efforts to curb the menace of drug trafficking and its devastating consequences.
Source: The Guardian Nigeria
