Morocco Cracks Down on Alcohol-Serving Restaurants in Tangier

In a press release, the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) indicates that these control operations were carried out in coordination with the authorities of Tangier, the municipal health services, the representatives of the National Office of Food Safety, and the services of the Customs and Indirect Taxes Administration.

The raid on 10 classified restaurants in Tangier made it possible to identify seven offenses related to non-compliance with the type of authorization and the transformation of the main activity of the restaurants into bars. Restaurants were cited for having recruited employees without the necessary authorizations. Four restaurants were fined for not displaying the legal framework of the activity and for changing the trade name without authorization.

There were also 10 violations for exceeding capacity, non-compliance with the social distancing measures provided for by the state of health emergency, and non-wearing of the mandatory mask by employees and staff. In addition to the fines, these control operations also resulted in the seizure of 105 bottles of alcoholic beverages and expired soft drinks and a significant quantity of dangerous and harmful food products.

Following the findings of these control operations, the local authorities decided to close seven restaurants until their legal situation is regularized. The managers of these establishments that were operating illegally were subjected to preliminary investigations. One of them was taken into custody under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor’s office, in order to determine the extent of their involvement in these offenses and criminal acts, the DGSN press release points out.