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U.S. Department of State
1996 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, March 1997
United States Department of State
Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
Africa and the Middle East
MOROCCO
I. Summary
Morocco is a major producer and exporter of cannabis. Although statistics
vary widely, it is estimated that over 2,000 mt are exported annually to
Europe, where it is consumed as hashish. In recent years, considerable
international publicity has highlighted Morocco's status as one of the world's
primary producers of cannabis. To combat this negative publicity, the
Moroccan Government (GOM) devoted significant resources to interdiction
efforts in 1996. During a campaign to eliminate corruption, contraband and
drug smuggling, the GOM claims to have broken up 12 drug networks and arrested
several of their leaders. Despite the campaign, producers and large-scale
traffickers still operate due to budgetary constraints on enforcement and
widespread corruption. Morocco is a signatory to the 1988 UN Convention.
II. Status of Country
Morocco is among the world's largest producers of cannabis. Its cultivation
and sale provide the economic base for much of northern Morocco, where up to
85,000 hectares are devoted to cannabis production. Most of the cannabis
produced in Morocco is processed into hashish, resin, or oil and exported to
Algeria, Tunisia and Europe. Estimates of the portion of the crop consumed
domestically range from 15 to 40 percent. Cannabis from Morocco does not
enter the US in sufficient quantities to have a significant effect.
Cannabis is typically exported in motor vehicles that cross into southern
Spain and France on ferries. Small fishing boats are another common means of
transportation. European authorities report that between 70-80 percent of all
cannabis seized on the continent is of Moroccan origin.
While cannabis (known locally as kif) is the traditional drug of choice for
Moroccans, there is also a small but growing domestic market for harder drugs,
such as heroin and cocaine. In addition, these drugs reportedly enter Morocco
for transshipment to Europe. Newspaper reports on Morocco's role as a major
producer and exporter of drugs indicate a connection between local drug
traffickers and international cartels such as Latin American cocaine rings.
However, there are few seizures of hard drugs to substantiate these reports.
The proceeds from narcotics exports are easily repatriated. The Government of
Morocco makes no serious effort to trace drug or contraband money; in fact,
there are no laws against money laundering that would enable the GOM to
prosecute offenders effectively. Much of the revenue is invested in real
estate, especially in northern Morocco, where drug money is an important
source of income and has supported a construction boom. However, as
increasing numbers of office and apartment buildings sit unoccupied, drug
traffickers are reportedly searching for new investment opportunities.
III. Country Action Against Drugs in 1996
Policy Initiatives. Early in the year, the GOM launched a clean-up
campaign to combat corruption, contraband and drug smuggling. Although the
government claims to have broken up drug rings and prosecuted several leaders
of drug networks, authorities have not taken serious action against producers,
and the campaign ended in the fall. During the first half of 1996, the GOM
arrested and prosecuted over 300 suspects on narcotics charges and seized 15
mt of cannabis resin. During the summer, the government created a development
agency for the northern territories which produced an action plan for economic
development and crop substitution. The agency plans to use funding promised
by the European Union (EU) and others to finance its programs. However, the
GOM has not yet met EU requirements which would allow the funds to be
released. In January, the GOM created a Coordination Unit for the Struggle
Against Drugs (UCLAD) which, as part of the Ministry of Interior, is charged
with coordinating antidrug efforts. The Parliament created a fact-finding
commission to investigate narcotics-related issues.
Enforcement Efforts. As part of an antidrug initiative launched by King
Hassan in 1992, 10,000 police were detailed to drug interdiction efforts in
the north and Rif mountains last year. Two hundred checkpoints are scattered
throughout the region. Royal Army soldiers staff hundreds of observation
posts along the Mediterranean coast, and the Navy carries out routine sea
patrols and responds to sightings by the observation posts. In addition,
Morocco expanded its cooperation with European law enforcement, increasing the
number of foreign drug enforcement officers working with Moroccan
counterparts.
Corruption. Despite this year's campaign against corruption, most observers
believe that corruption continues to be widespread. The GOM does not promote
drug production or trafficking as a matter of policy and it contests
accusations that government officials in the northern territories are involved
in the drug trade.
Agreements and Treaties. Morocco is a party to the 1988 UN Convention,
as well as to the 1961 and 1971 UN conventions. The GOM's announced programs
would, if fully implemented, bring it substantially into compliance with the
1988 Convention's goals and objectives. However, progress in that regard was
minimal in 1996. The government's purpose in creating UCLAD was to improve
cooperation and centralize control on all drug-related matters. But European
diplomats believe the operation lacks the resources to fulfill its mandate.
The EU will withhold antinarcotics assistance until UCLAD is fully
operational. Absent greatly increased funding, the aims of the 1988
Convention will remain unattainable in Morocco. In 1993, Morocco ratified a
mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT) with the US. No narcotics-related cases
have yet been considered under the treaty. In 1989, Morocco and the US signed
a bilateral narcotics cooperation agreement in compliance with the Chiles
Amendment, which calls for cooperation in the fight against illicit drug
production and trafficking, and the abuse of narcotics. Morocco also has
antinarcotics agreements and or/MLAT's with the EU, France, Spain, Germany,
Italy, Portugal and the UK. While Morocco's Parliament has not yet passed
legislation to implement the 1988 UN Convention, its laws do provide general
authority to prosecute drug producers and traffickers. The US and Morocco do
not have a bilateral extradition treaty.
Cultivation/Production. Most Moroccan cannabis is cultivated by small
farmers in the northern Rif region, although some is also grown in the Souss
Valley of the south. Unofficial sources estimate that from 80,000 to 85,000
hectares are devoted to cannabis production, and claim that this number has
increased by a factor of ten in the last decade. European experts report
that, due to record rainfall in 1996, the area under cultivation increased by
almost ten percent. The average hectare of cannabis produces two to eight mt
of raw plant. The government has stated that it is committed to the total
eradication of cannabis production. Given the economic dependence of the
northern part of the country on cannabis, however, eradication is only
feasible if accompanied by a highly subsidized crop substitution program.
Consequently, the GOM has not yet made a serious attempt at eradication.
Drug Flow/Transit. There are reports that Morocco is used as a
transshipment point for hard drugs such as heroin and cocaine en route to
Europe. However, there were no significant hard drug seizures during the year
that would substantiate these reports.
Domestic Programs/Demand Reduction. The GOM denies a significant
hard-drug addiction problem in Morocco and does not actively promote a
reduction in the domestic demand for cannabis. The GOM does have a program to
train the staffs of psychiatric hospitals in the treatment of drug addiction.
IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs
Policy Initiatives. Only very small amounts of narcotics produced in or
transiting through Morocco reach the US. The USG works to encourage Moroccan
antinarcotics efforts through cooperation with Moroccan law enforcement
officials in curtailing the production and transshipment of drugs. The USG
also provides training in law enforcement techniques, promotes GOM adherence
to bilateral and international agreement requirements and provides support, as
appropriate, for existing Moroccan-European cooperation in this area. US
officials also encourage greater international cooperation to control Moroccan
production and export of drugs.
Bilateral Cooperation. Pursuant to the 1989 agreement, the US and Morocco
maintain cooperation on antinarcotics issues. The USG has provided training
and narcotics intelligence when applicable.
The Road Ahead. The US will monitor the narcotics situation in Morocco,
cooperate with the GOM in its narcotics control efforts, and, together with
the EU, provide law enforcement training, intelligence and other support where
possible.
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