Moroccan stone and meteorite merchants are under suspicion of smuggling money abroad through commercial deals. According to Hespress’s private sources, these merchants participated in international trade fairs, transporting high-value goods whose proceeds vanished later on.
A comprehensive audit has been launched by the Exchange Office, in coordination with the General Tax Directorate and the Administration of Customs and Indirect Taxes after detecting possible fraud in the declarations of these merchants, operating as individuals
Preliminary investigations based on customs declarations revealed that these merchants regularly attended specialized exhibitions in Arizona, USA. Large sums of money were disguised as goods and transferred for display at these annual U.S. exhibitions, with the shipments being divided among new merchants on each trip.
The same sources revealed that there has been an increase in meteorite exports over short periods, far exceeding regular commercial activity. The suspects allegedly used their close relationships with exhibition organizers and American spouses to manage their operations. Upon obtaining U.S. residency, some went as far as establishing companies and opening permanent stores in American malls to sustain their trade.
Morocco had a legal gap in regulating meteorite extraction until the implementation of Article 116 of Law No. 33.13, in March 2020. This law requires a license from the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development for the meteorites’ extraction, collection, and marketing. Exporters and importers must also submit identification cards and samples of the meteorites to customs for approval.
It’s worth noting that the value of one gram of these goods can exceed one thousand dollars, making it an extremely profitable business for Moroccan merchants.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.