Morocco Reports 30% Drop in Crime Rate for 2022, Police Data Shows

The police services recorded 820,274 cases, with 875,879 individuals referred to the various public prosecutors’ offices in criminal matters. Regarding drug trafficking and other illicit substances, the police managed to arrest more than 120,725 suspects in 2022, including 241 foreigners. Also, more than 98 tons of hashish, 190.178 kg of cocaine, and 2.821 kg of heroin were seized, with respective decreases of 49%, 87% and 5%. On the other hand, for psychotropic drugs and other seized tablets, there was an 85% increase, with a total of 2,668,473 psychotropic tablets.

Regarding cyber-extortion crimes, there was a 5% increase, with 5,623 reported cases compared to 5,366 in 2021. In terms of sextortion, the security services report a decrease with 237 arrests for 428 victims, including 77 foreigners. The report also focused on illegal immigration, with the arrest of 32,733 candidates, including 28,146 foreigners of various nationalities, the dismantling of 92 criminal networks and the arrest of 566 organizers and intermediaries, and the arrest of 415 organizers of illegal immigration.

Regarding financial and economic crimes, the establishment of regional judicial police brigades has allowed the processing of 453 cases of corruption, influence peddling, fraud and embezzlement of public funds and blackmail. Regarding counterfeiting, fraudulent use of means of payment and currency trafficking, more than 53,449 cases were processed, leading to the seizure of 9,373 counterfeit banknotes with a total value of 1,814,370 DH and 17,701 counterfeit foreign banknotes (6,530,370 euros, 105,900 US dollars, 743,000 Belarusian rubles and 2,420 pounds sterling). Dozens of active networks in counterfeiting and forgery of currencies and foreign exchange have been dismantled.

In the fight against terrorism and extremism, a 23% decrease compared to 2021 was noted, with 20 arrests and the dismantling of several terrorist cells.