Counternarcotics and Law Enforcement Country Program: Morocco

Challenges

Morocco has substantial problems with illegal migration, human smuggling, transnational terrorists, marijuana (hashish) production and trafficking, and commercial smuggling owing to its long and poorly controlled border, extensive coastline, and proximity to Europe. Smuggling of commercial products and trafficking in persons could ultimately provide revenue sources to terrorists. Thousands of illegal migrants from the Near East and Sub-Saharan Africa transit Morocco on their way to Europe. Most are simply seeking a better life, but some harbor criminal and terrorist intentions. Morocco also consistently ranks among the world’s largest producers and exporters of cannabis. The value of this illegal trade is estimated at $13 billion per year.

U.S. Law Enforcement Goals

• Improve Moroccan control of its borders and territorial waters to prevent criminals from smuggling drugs, weapons, or other contraband into Morocco.

U.S. Programs

U.S. funds are used to provide training, technical assistance, and equipment to improve border control detection techniques and security at Morocco’s main air and sea ports.