Moroccan customs authorities are set to ramp up inspections at airports and seaports in the coming weeks as part of a nationwide crackdown on gold smuggling operations, sources close to the matter told Hespress AR.
The campaign, spearheaded by the National Customs Brigade, comes ahead of the busy summer travel season, particularly at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport. Authorities have reported a recent spike in smuggling attempts involving gold, prompting intensified inspections and intelligence-based interventions.
According to sources, specialized customs units have uncovered shifts in smuggling tactics. These include altered travel routes, expanded networks of couriers, and the use of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including elderly women and even public servants, in an effort to evade detection.
Many of these couriers, or “transporters“, reportedly arrived from Gulf and Middle Eastern nations, as well as Europe, with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, and the UK identified as key departure points.
Data-Driven Surveillance
The upcoming operations will be guided by real-time risk analysis from the customs’ vigilance and data-monitoring unit, which flagged a pattern of suspicious traveler activity.
Authorities are investigating multiple cases involving closely timed flights operated by specific airlines, often booked without regard to cost despite soaring ticket prices, a potential indicator of organized smuggling.
Customs intelligence also pointed to a growing influx of illegal gold into Moroccan markets. Once smuggled in, the gold is melted down and reprocessed in licensed workshops before entering the local jewelry trade, officials said.
Gold of 22- and 24-karat purity sourced from Europe and the Gulf is often sold at lower prices than domestic rates, fueling its illicit appeal.
As part of the crackdown, customs agents have begun requesting import/export documentation and invoices from local jewelers, suspecting that some are trafficking in unregistered bullion, melted and recast from smuggled or stolen gold, with forged customs hallmarks.
Tightening Airport Screening
Gold jewelry carried for personal use remains subject to inspection when suspicions arise. However, under current customs rules, travelers are permitted to carry personal gold items, such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings, without a special declaration, provided the total weight does not exceed 500 grams and is consistent with the wearer’s social and economic profile.
Officials say enforcement efforts will include coordination with the National Financial Intelligence Authority to determine whether seized gold may be linked to proceeds from criminal activities such as drug trafficking or organized begging networks.
The crackdown also relies on support from the Customs’ Data Systems and Analytics Unit, which is tracking cross-border smuggling patterns between Morocco and countries where foreign traffickers are active.
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