A recent report issued by the “Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime” confirmed that cocaine trafficking networks have transported tons of this drug since 2019 from Brazil and other parts of Latin America by sea to several countries in the West African Sahel. The report emphasized that these criminal networks originating from the Western Balkans use West Africa as a logistical hub to store and redistribute cocaine shipments on their way to European consumer markets.

Fatjona Mejdini, Director of the Illicit Economies Observatory in Southeast Europe affiliated with the aforementioned initiative, stated that “the activity of these groups expanded to West Africa due to increased demand for cocaine in Europe and tightened controls on direct trafficking routes to it.” Lucia Bird, Director of the Illicit Economies Observatory in West Africa, noted that “the operations of crime networks in the Western Balkans contributed to turning West Africa into a pivotal point for transshipment of cocaine bound for the European Union, and the region’s importance continues to grow in the global cocaine trade.”

To counter this threat, the report proposes establishing cross-continental partnerships in law enforcement and enhancing communication with shipping companies, which should play a greater role in confronting the global cocaine trafficking supply chain. It also stresses the need to strengthen intelligence systems to support profiling and risk assessment, including seaports and border points exploited as gateways for cocaine shipments coming from the region.

The growing activities of cocaine trafficking networks in West Africa represent a real warning for Morocco to strengthen its security surveillance, especially at the Guerguerat border crossing, given the kingdom’s strategic location as a potential transit point for these networks on their way to European markets. This calls for developing monitoring mechanisms and tightening control to reduce the exploitation of Moroccan borders as a passage for powerful drug shipments, enhancing public security and contributing to combating such cross-border illegal activities and threats.

A responsible customs source at the Guerguerat border crossing confirmed that “the crossing is equipped with advanced detection and scanning devices to monitor various export and import operations, as well as passenger transit through this border point,” adding that “Morocco has three scanning devices, including a next-generation scanner, in addition to small handheld devices used by customs officers in carrying out their duties.”

The source emphasized to Hespress electronic newspaper that “customs officers are intensifying surveillance at this level and dealing with smuggling operations, including cocaine trafficking, with the required seriousness and firmness, in full cooperation with other security agencies such as the Royal Gendarmerie and the General Directorate of National Security, using trained police dogs to ensure border security and the safety of commercial operations, alongside combating various illegal activities.”

The same source confirmed that “customs services at the crossing conducted seven precise inspections last year, resulting in the seizure of approximately 725 kilograms of cocaine coming from sub-Saharan African countries to the kingdom, while four operations since the beginning of this year have led to the seizure of more than 313 kilograms of this drug.”