Morocco cracks down on illegal factories and utility theft near Casablanca

Authorities in Morocco’s Casablanca-Settat region have launched an urgent crackdown on illegal factories and unauthorized consumption of water and electricity, following strict directives issued by regional governor Mohamed Mhidia.

Informed sources told Hespress AR that Mhidia has ordered provincial governors to suspend utility services to unlicensed industrial units, some owned by elected officials, found to be illegally siphoning public water and electricity. The directive follows reports submitted to regional authorities, highlighting pressure on municipal leaders from influential figures seeking to exploit public wells to power unregistered factories and other unauthorized facilities.

The governor’s instructions include urging municipal councils to pass resolutions cutting off illegal access to utilities in tandem with the ongoing demolition of unauthorized buildings, particularly in the provinces of Berrechid and Médiouna.

According to the same sources, investigations revealed that numerous makeshift industrial units, including plastic bag production workshops and scrap metal recycling plants, were operating without permits. These businesses have been tapping into water sources designated for rural villages facing severe shortages, and stealing electricity from transformers registered under local municipalities. Many of the properties in question belong to current or former elected officials.

The reports also noted that some local officials face significant challenges in confronting powerful actors who pressure councils into allowing unauthorized access to public wells. These facilities have been used to power illegal factories, restaurants, cafés, and even bathhouses built on agricultural land, in direct violation of Moroccan land and zoning laws.

Local authorities, in coordination with Casablanca’s regional multi-utility company, have started documenting and prosecuting cases of utility theft. Official reports and legal filings have been prepared to support enforcement measures.

Past audits by Morocco’s Interior Ministry and the Court of Auditors have already highlighted the uncontrolled expansion of unregulated industrial activity on the outskirts of Casablanca.

A 2021 report cited more than 3,300 informal industrial units operating in the region due to poor coordination among local governments. It also noted widespread deficiencies in industrial zoning efforts, including deteriorating infrastructure, underutilized investment zones, and lack of legal and institutional frameworks to regulate the development process.

Recent demolition operations have further exposed fraudulent utility authorization practices. Field officers discovered that many illegal buildings were equipped with 220V and 380V power meters used to operate industrial machinery, raising concerns about collusion and negligence in utility service approvals.

Officials say the crackdown is part of a broader campaign to combat urban and rural construction violations and safeguard infrastructure projects underway in preparation for Morocco’s hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.