British Man Arrested at Agadir Airport for Smuggling 17,000 Face Masks

The scanners at the control posts allowed the police to detect the merchandise, reports Al Akhbar. The person concerned declared, during his arrest, that he thought he had carried out a legal operation not requiring any administrative or customs procedure. In the eyes of the police, this argument does not hold water. Since the Englishman is a currency smuggler, with a criminal record.

The defendant wanted to transport these 17,000 masks to the city of Manchester in England, in order to resell them at a higher price. While medical masks are becoming scarce, demand continues to increase in many countries where the coronavirus is raging, or which fear the epidemic.

After his arrest, the customs services proceeded to seize the merchandise. Also, an investigation has been opened to determine the nature and origin of the masks. Subsequently, the penalties provided for by law will be applied.

Sources close to the police hope that the Moroccan authorities will send pharmacies a circular instructing them to control the marketing of masks and avoid any imbalance between supply and demand.