Authorities raid sand sales points in Casablanca amid quality concerns

An investigation has been launched into the illegal transport of sand, used for avocado farming, from areas between Salé and Kenitra to construction sites in Casablanca. 

Environmental gendarmerie forces and local authorities, coordinated under the supervision of the governor of Mediouna province and in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior launched the investigation.

Joint teams, including experts from the National Laboratory for Studies and Testing (LPEE), raided multiple sand and building material sales points in Mediouna, specifically in El Harouiyine, Sidi Hajjaj, and Oued Hissar. 

They collected sand samples and ordered the suspension of construction work until the results were confirmed.

Local authorities, instructed by the Ministry of the Interior, have worked with national security and the royal gendarmerie to monitor the movement of trucks carrying potentially substandard sand into the region.

The raids also uncovered businesses operating without proper licenses, some of which had misused permits for pharmaceutical sales to illegally distribute building materials. 

Authorities reviewed invoices and business records both within and outside the region to track the source of the sand.

Additionally, large sand storage facilities in Mediouna were found to be operating in secrecy, with late-night operations and equipment used to reprocess and dry sand. 

These facilities supplied construction projects in Casablanca, despite concerns over the sand’s quality and adherence to standards.

Construction material distributors had previously urged the Ministry of the Interior to investigate the quality of sand used in Casablanca’s construction sites. 

Reports from local authorities and gendarmerie intelligence helped pinpoint suspicious sales points, revealing that dealers were using trucks with fake receipts to avoid detection and monitoring.