Agadir Police Use DNA Testing to Combat Child Exploitation in Begging Rings

Resorting to DNA. This is the obvious method used by the Agadir police services to fight against the exploitation of children by professional beggars. This initiative follows the discovery of several networks specialized in begging, who exploit children and infants, reports the daily Al Massae, cited by le360.ma. This is the harvest of the campaigns carried out by the Agadir police against the proliferation of this phenomenon, during the summer period.

The scourge is perceptible in all regions of the Kingdom, especially in large cities like Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech and Fez, with the presence of women and children from elsewhere. The mafias ensure their transportation and take care of their distribution.

According to some studies, poverty would not be the cause of begging. It is an organized profession that benefits greatly from mafias. Despite the efforts of local authorities to fight against the professionals of this phenomenon, it persists.

Concerned by its extent, Bassima Hakkaoui, Minister of the Family, pounds the table. However, she does not propose sanctions against people who help the fake beggars.

Yet the provisions of the Penal Code punish begging, in particular, Article 326 which states: "Anyone who has the means of subsistence and habitually engages in begging in any place whatsoever shall be punished by imprisonment of one to six months."

Clearly, the lack of enforcement of the texts in this area amplifies the phenomenon, hence the need to resort to them instead of DNA, which would generate costs for the Kingdom.