HIBAPRESS – Abdellatif Baraka
Networks trading in smuggled alcoholic beverages are returning to the forefront in the city of Agadir, immediately after the period of stagnation preceding Eid al-Fitr, in a seasonal pattern that is causing concern among observers, especially with indications that this "lobby" is gradually resuming its activity to dispose of its stocks inside bars and nightclubs.
These movements do not come out of the blue, but rather in the context of a previous record of security operations that revealed the size and complexities of these networks. In the past year, the provincial security services in Agadir managed to seize about 7,000 bottles of smuggled liquor inside a classified hotel, in one of the most prominent strikes that targeted this illegal activity. Operations did not stop there, as a joint security operation between the security services in Agadir and Tiznit resulted in the thwarting of an attempt to transport about 12,000 bottles of smuggled liquor towards the southern regions, with the arrest of two people suspected of being involved in this network, followed by interventions from customs and gendarmerie services to tighten the noose on smuggling routes. However, the available data currently indicates that these networks have not been completely eradicated, but have rearranged their cards, benefiting from peak tourist periods and after Eid, where demand rises significantly, which encourages the re-injection of quantities of unknown origin beverages into the local market. Health risks that go beyond the legal dimension The danger of this phenomenon is not limited to the legal aspect related to smuggling and tax evasion, but extends to a direct threat to the health of consumers, in the absence of any control over the quality of these products or their storage and transport conditions, which opens the door to the circulation of materials that may be counterfeit or unfit for consumption. Calls for proactive action In light of these indications, calls are increasing for proactive action by the competent authorities, which does not only include traditional security campaigns, but also includes intensifying monitoring within points of consumption, by taking samples of beverages offered to customers and analyzing them in the laboratory to ensure their safety. The need to strengthen coordination between various agencies, including security, customs, and local authorities, to strike smuggling chains from the source, instead of merely pursuing distribution rings, also stands out. An ongoing battle The reality confirms that dismantling this lobby requires a long breath and a comprehensive approach, which combines deterrence, monitoring, and prevention, especially in a tourist city like Agadir, where the reputation of the tourism sector is directly linked to the quality and safety of the services provided. Between the return of activity and increasing fears, the bet remains on the vigilance of the authorities and their ability to act in a timely manner, before this phenomenon turns into a silent danger that threatens the health of consumers and undermines efforts to regulate the sector.
