Moroccan Customs Uncover Major Currency Smuggling Ring to Turkey at Multiple Airports

Based on data from ADII’s competent services, centralized control services, in coordination with the Foreign Exchange Office, National Security, and Royal Gendarmerie, have opened investigations into illegal currency trafficking abroad. Since the beginning of this year, customs controllers at airports have noted an increase in false declarations of personal travel allowances set at 100,000 dirhams per year.

Their investigations have revealed the existence of an active network using fake tourist trips and passengers bound for Turkey to illegally take large amounts of currency out of the kingdom. Entrepreneurs from the construction and public works sector in Casablanca, as well as a Moroccan resident in Germany who owns a car rental company, have been identified. The identity of other individuals involved in this trafficking is being verified, reports Hespress.

Investigators have examined the import and export records of the suspects, discovering that they were not conducting any commercial activity abroad that would require significant transfers in foreign currencies. Those involved face sentences ranging from three months to five years in prison, as well as severe financial penalties, in accordance with the Customs Code and foreign exchange regulations.

Controllers are continuing their investigations to determine the origin of the large sums of currency intended for smuggling and to identify potential accomplices of the offenders.