Morocco Cracks Down on Smuggling at Ceuta and Melilla Border Crossings

23 May 2022 – byGinette · 1 min read

In announcing the reopening of the border posts of Ceuta and Melilla, the Moroccan authorities had stated that they would not in any case tolerate smuggling. Today, it is the turn of the General Directorate of Customs (DGI) to indicate that there will no longer be any smuggling activity at the Bab Sebta and Beni Ansar crossing points.

In a statement, the DGI explains that "all measures have been taken with the aim of putting an end to all forms of smuggling at the two crossing points". For the institution, this type of trade "constituted a major obstacle to the establishment of an environment conducive to the normal crossing process", noting that "since the reopening of the border posts, no smuggling activity has been recorded".

According to the schedule set by the committee set up by Morocco and Spain, only European Union citizens and those who have a travel permit on Schengen territory will be able to cross the border in a first phase. As for the second phase, it concerns legally recognized workers. They will be able to enter the two cities from May 31.

To access the borders of the enclaves, passengers must now have a foreign identity card or a specific visa for the enclaves with a valid passport.

Category: Spain

Keywords:

Ceuta Melilla Smuggling General Tax Directorate