Moroccan Customs Intensifies Efforts to Uncover Secret Warehouses of Influential Importers in Three Main Regions

Casablanca – Exclusive

Informed sources in the Customs and Indirect Taxes Administration reported that the National Customs Brigade has launched an intensive field coordination operation with territorial administrations in the Casablanca-Settat, Souss-Massa, and Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima regions, aimed at identifying and tightening the grip on undeclared secret warehouse locations operated by influential importers. This move comes after customs inspectors’ attempts to subject these importers to post-clearance audit procedures for months have faltered, as document verification operations revealed similarities in illegal procedures.

According to the same sources, the operation focuses on preliminary analytical results that included examining documents and records of import operations for 23 importers, where “paper control” operations revealed discrepancies in invoices, bank guarantees, and financial transfer certificates, indicating manipulation of imported goods values or concealment of smuggled origins. The sources confirmed that these investigations, which began last October, led to the identification of suspected locations in the suburbs of major cities, especially in Casablanca, where these warehouses are believed to be used to store goods that violate import specifications or are completely smuggled.

Role of the Vigilance Cell and Intensification of Territorial Investigations

The “Vigilance and Risk Analysis Cell” in the National Customs Brigade played a crucial role in providing accurate intelligence information about the existence of secret warehouses operated under the cover of agricultural stables and agricultural refrigerators in neighboring urban and rural areas. Sources indicated that these facilities are exploited to store goods such as counterfeit alcohol, spoiled spices, and fake electrical and textile products, which are imported through major ports such as Casablanca and Tangier, before being repackaged and marketed in local markets.

In this context, regional authorities mobilized local authority officials (governors and pashas) and authority agents (moqaddems and sheikhs) to intensify investigations within their territorial jurisdiction, aimed at uncovering the spread of informal warehouses operated by individuals unrelated to official trade or import and export activities. Sources confirmed that this coordination includes the use of modern techniques such as drones to identify precise locations, in addition to cooperation with National Security and Royal Gendarmerie services to track supply and distribution chains.

Background: Smuggling and Counterfeiting Threaten Economy and Public Health

This customs action comes in the context of a broader campaign to combat smuggling and counterfeiting, which witnessed escalation during 2025, especially in major economic regions. In November, Customs services in Casablanca and Tangier uncovered an international network for forging import documents, involving Moroccan and foreign companies, and led to the seizure of large quantities of textile and electrical products with inflated values. Other investigations also detected smuggling of counterfeit alcohol through Mauritanian ports, with storage in secret warehouses in Agadir and Casablanca before marketing in nightclubs and bars.

Additionally, previous operations in April 2025 raised concerns about illegal “maassel” storage in warehouses in Mediouna province near Casablanca, while investigations in October revealed smuggling of spoiled spices through the Guerguerat crossing, with storage points in Casablanca and Agadir. In November also, a network for smuggling fake diamonds was dismantled, exploiting gaps in customs control to import products with forged quality certificates.

These illegal activities are not limited to financial losses but threaten public health and the national economy, as the parallel market size for smuggled goods is estimated at hundreds of millions of dirhams annually, according to reports from the General Directorate of Customs.

Economic Impacts and Challenges

Reports indicate that the Casablanca-Settat region contains the largest proportion of official warehouses (45% of national grain storage capacity), making it a primary target for illegal operations, followed by Souss-Massa (10%) and Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima (about 4%). However, experts acknowledge that the challenge lies in the complexity of international supply chains, especially with partnerships with suppliers in China and Mauritania, which require strengthening international cooperation.

Timeline of Major Customs Operations in 2025

Date	Main Region	Activity Uncovered	Main Results
April 2025	Casablanca-Settat	Illegal maassel storage	Identification of warehouses in Mediouna, seizure of large quantities
October 2025	Souss-Massa	Smuggling of spoiled spices	Cooperation with Gendarmerie, prosecution of major smugglers
November 2025	Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima	Forgery of import documents	Seizure of textile and electrical products
November 2025	Casablanca	Smuggling of counterfeit alcohol	Dismantling of international network, use of drones
December 2025	Three regions	Secret warehouses of 23 importers	Intensive territorial investigations ongoing

Table of Main Regions Affected by Smuggling

Region	Official Storage Capacity Percentage	Common Illegal Activities	Approximate Losses (Million Dirhams)
Casablanca-Settat	45%	Alcohol, maassel, textiles	200+
Souss-Massa	10%	Spices, food products	80+
Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima	4%	Fake diamonds, electrical goods	50+

In conclusion, this customs-territorial coordination is considered a strategic step to regain market control, amid expectations of imminent official announcements about investigation results. The Customs Administration confirms its commitment to strengthening post-clearance control to ensure transparency in imports, while calling on importers to comply with legal procedures to avoid penalties. “L’Éco Marocain” will follow developments in this sensitive operation.