Morocco: "water thieves" arrested

Surprise operation. Supported by the Royal Gendarmerie and the auxiliary forces, the authorities carried out surprise night-time interventions. Result: dozens of motors and pumps used to siphon water from the canal were seized, as well as kilometers of illegally installed pipes, reports Al Akhbar. Concrete platforms used for the theft operation were also demolished.

This campaign is part of the continuation of an initiative launched several months ago by the local authorities. Offense reports were drawn up against the offenders and sanctions were applied.

The theft of irrigation water deprives legitimate farmers of a vital resource for their crops, also jeopardizing the environmental balance of the region and exacerbating the already worrying water stress situation throughout Morocco.