Moroccan Authorities Destroy 62,000 Expired Alcohol Bottles in Health Safety Crackdown

The operation took place in the presence of the executives of the General Directorate of National Security and representatives of the local authorities and under the supervision of the competent prosecutor’s office. In a statement to the press, Hicham Baali, General Controller, Head of the National Brigade of the Judicial Police, indicated that these destroyed alcoholic beverages were seized because they were expired or did not bear stamps, according to the MAP.

He specified that these 62,000 bottles were seized in three warehouses that supply all of Marrakech with alcoholic beverages. According to the general controller, these operations have been carried out nationwide for the preservation of public health. They come within the framework of the repression of offenses relating to the violation of the state of health emergency.

The classified restaurants in Marrakech also received a control visit from a joint commission composed of executives from the central administration and the Marrakech police prefecture. The operation was carried out in close collaboration with the territorial authorities of the wilaya of the Marrakech-Safi region and the services of customs and indirect taxes as well as the ONSSA.

Several offenses were found, including those relating to the special regulations of classified restaurants, as well as other offenses related to the non-compliance with social distancing, sufficient ventilation to eliminate cigarette smoke and the non-wearing of masks observed among the waiters. A judicial investigation has been opened against those who were arrested for violating the state of health emergency, the same source said.