Tangier Customs Seize Tons of Smuggled Textiles, Sparking Money Laundering Probe

The harvest was good for the customs elements of Tangier, in collaboration with the judicial police services and the local authorities. They seized fabrics, textile items and other ready-to-wear brands smuggled in the Béni Makada area of Tangier. This operation was initiated following complaints from local companies, victims of unfair competition from smugglers who are invading the market with goods imported from Turkey or China, and sold at very low prices, reports the daily Assabah.

The investigations of the customs services made it possible to discover clandestine and anarchic depots belonging to a notorious smuggler, known as "Saddam", where tons of smuggled goods worth 2.5 million dirhams are stored, indicates the same daily. In total, fifteen vehicles were used to transport the seized goods, the daily points out.

The negative impact of this illicit activity extends nationwide, mainly in Marrakech, Casablanca and other cities in the kingdom. The Directorate General of Customs, in collaboration with the other competent services, has decided to fight against this phenomenon that weakens the Moroccan economy.

Following this raid, an investigation has been opened, concerning the seized goods, in connection with a probable money laundering that is drowning in real estate projects in the region. Likewise, a proactive approach is adopted and cleaning campaigns are launched to locate all the clandestine depots where these goods are stored before being released on the national market, the same source reports.