Moroccan Truck Drivers to Strike Over Drug Trafficking Convictions

In recent months, the police have seized nearly 27 tons of cannabis resin at the port of Tanger Med, while this quantity was ready to be transported to Europe. As part of this seizure, six international freight truck drivers were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 6 to 10 years.

Considering that in this case, only the truck drivers were prosecuted, the AMTRI which represents them, invites them to express their discontent through a strike on February 12, during which they are invited to wear a red ribbon in support of the imprisoned or prosecuted drivers.

The association called, in a statement, the authorities "to go further in the investigations in order to arrest the real owners of the drugs". For the AMTRI office, the fact that the drugs "were hidden in locked metal boxes", is sufficient proof that "the drivers could in no way have an idea of their content", reports Al Massae.

As for the various sentences handed down against the six drivers, the AMTRI considers them to be "severe sentences imposed on professionals who have no connection with the 27 tons of cannabis resin seized".

The association calls for a revision of the provisions of the Sherifian Dahir of 1974 as well as the provisions of the Customs Code with regard to the determination of responsibilities and the activation of the articles of the criminal procedure concerning judicial control and prosecution on provisional release.