Tangier’s Shisha Crackdown: Nightlife Disrupted, Contraband Seized

The owners of the cafes arrested in the act of selling shisha and contraband "m3assel" were released after paying heavy fines to the Customs Administration. These fines are equivalent to 300% of the value of the taxes due in relation to the quantities seized, according to sources at Hespress.

This vast operation follows a series of complaints from residents against this type of cafe, most of which are located in areas near the corniche, causing nighttime nuisance and disturbing the tranquility of the latter.

In total, more than 20 people, including owners and managers of cafes, were arrested. Some were taken into custody, then presented to the public prosecutor at the court of first instance in the city of Tangier, who ordered their continued detention. They will subsequently be released after paying bail.