Algeria Accuses Morocco of Flooding Region with Drugs, Destabilizing Neighbors

"The Moroccan regime uses all means to sell and distribute its drugs outside its borders, disregarding the security and stability of the neighboring countries," denounces the ANP in its operational report on the fight against crime, published through the official agency. It claims that the "Makhzen regime" ensures impunity for drug traffickers and drug trafficking networks. An impunity that is explained, according to the Algerian army, by "the Makhzen’s attempts to cover up its multiple economic failures and to appease social unrest."

"Poverty is increasing in Morocco and unemployment is becoming more and more entrenched among young people. That is why the Moroccan regime turns a blind eye to smuggling and drug trafficking. Moreover, it encourages and motivates its elements stationed on its borders to facilitate the transport of tons of drugs to Algeria," the Algerian army also claims. It also accuses "Morocco of continuing its policy of flooding Algeria with drugs, which has become a threat to national security and stability, especially as it targets the most vulnerable category, namely our young people."

Faced with these "relentless campaigns," the ANP claims to have deployed "enormous and intense efforts to secure the national borders and in the fight against organized crime, particularly drug trafficking gangs, through a comprehensive strategy adapted to the methods of drug trafficking gangs and the countries behind them, the Makhzen in particular." It is pleased with the effectiveness of this strategy.

To support its allegations, the ANP cited the 2020 UN Office report on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the global drug market. "Morocco remains a favorite area for the production and export of cannabis," this report states.

The report "warned against the continued, regular and stable production and export of cannabis and hashish from Morocco to the neighboring countries and the Sahel, which contributes to the financing of active terrorist groups and the destabilization of the region due to the interconnection that exists between drug trafficking gangs and terrorist groups operating in the region where these groups provide security cover to drug traffickers in exchange for a share of the drug trafficking proceeds."