Trafficking in illicit products: Customs step up the hunt

In recent years, traffickers and fraudsters have modernized their modus operandi, which has become increasingly sophisticated, in order to elude the vigilance of border controllers. In response to these developments, «Customs is constantly adapting its methods of combating the various forms of illicit trafficking, adopting a proactive and collaborative approach with other law enforcement agencies».

This is what emerges from the annual activity report for fiscal year 2023. During this period, the Customs and Excise Administration stepped up its fight against cigarette smuggling. As a result, «the magnitude of cigarette smuggling has been further reduced». The annual report refers to the results of the 10th cigarette prevalence survey, carried out in 2023, which revealed a smuggled cigarette penetration rate of 1.85%, down from the previous two years. Last year, 438,784 units of contraband cigarettes and various.
Last year, 438,784 units of smuggled cigarettes and various tobacco products were seized. In total, tobacco product seizures in 2023 involved over 1.85 tons of ground tobacco, 789 kilos of leaf tobacco, and 3.3 tons of maassel (shisha tobacco).
With regard to drug trafficking, Customs relies on the use of technological resources and the development of intelligence and collaboration with other national and international law enforcement agencies. This has « led to significant seizures in 2023, most of them higher than previous year «.

Two other areas in which the Customs services are mobilized: the fight against smuggling and counterfeiting. «With the development of online trade, particularly sales via the social media, which are a privileged channel for the distribution of counterfeit products, Customs has strengthened its control mechanisms».
In total, the volume of counterfeit items seized in 2023 amounted to 2,021,886 compared with 1,821,886 in 2022, an increase of 11%, with a total estimated value of 19.9 million Dirhams (USD 2 million).
With regard to smuggling, Customs has stepped up its operations to monitor organized flows and locate suspicious warehouses, particularly in busy areas. This led to major seizures of goods (excluding cigarettes and narcotics) with a total value of 262 million Dirhams (USD 26 million), versus123 million (USD 12 million) in 2022.
Mohamed Ali Mrabi
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