Golden Mules: Morocco Uncovers International Trafficking Ring

Customs control services at airports have stepped up their efforts to monitor passengers arriving from destinations considered sensitive, such as Turkey. Investigations carried out over several months have revealed the existence of an international gold trafficking network that uses women as mules, according to sources at Hespress, specifying that a woman was recently arrested on arrival from Istanbul, after large quantities of gold were found in her belongings.

According to the investigation, the suspect has a link with a Turkish organization specialized in gold trafficking, which paid her for each operation. The investigations also revealed that Turkish businessmen would use gold to make real estate and commercial investments outside their country, as part of money laundering operations. Alerted, the Moroccan customs services have strengthened the surveillance of women arriving from certain destinations at the kingdom’s airports and ports.

Personal jewelry such as rings, bracelets, necklaces or earrings up to 500 grams are exempt from specific declaration. Their number and value must also be consistent with the traveler’s social profile. In case of doubt, customs, in collaboration with the national financial intelligence processing unit and other partner institutions, an investigation is opened. The objective is to put an end to gold trafficking and other criminal activities, including drug trafficking.