Illegal Sand Mining Threatens Morocco’s Coastline, Fueled by Criminal Networks

Illegal sand extraction has intensified during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the ever-growing number of mafias, which bring together several people at all levels of society, according to the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), based in Washington DC, considered the best research center for its analyzes on security and international relations. And the traffickers range from "workers using donkeys to state officials seeking to exploit their position for a quick profit," a January 2022 report on sand mafias in the kingdom reveals.

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For what purpose is the sand stolen from the magnificent Moroccan coasts used? The mafias export this sand. Less smooth and working better as a binder in concrete, many buyers around the world end up using it in construction in their country. In Morocco, the illegal sand ends up being used as a key ingredient in concrete manufacturing. As evidenced by a report from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) which specifies that 10 million cubic meters, or nearly half of the sand used in construction projects in Morocco in 2019, was extracted illegally, reports the Express.co.uk site.

This illegal activity is not without consequences on the Moroccan environment. Unlimited illegal sand extraction can lead to the destruction of the landscape, as several kilometers of the Moroccan coastline have been razed by the traffickers. The coastal town of Mohammedia, located between Rabat and Casablanca, is one of the most affected areas. There is little sand left on the coast, we are told.