Corruption and Smuggling Operations Targeting Algeria Unveiled by Dissident Moroccan Officer Abdelilah Issou
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- In a series of shocking revelations, dissident Moroccan officer Issou Abdelilah has exposed the alarming extent of drug smuggling targeting Algeria. Abdelilah, formerly part of the Royal Moroccan Army, provided detailed information on the deep-rooted corruption within Moroccan customs and the complicity of border guards in facilitating drug trafficking across the Algerian-Moroccan border. These revelations shed light on the illicit activities that have plagued the region for years.
According to Issou, gaining entry into the customs service in Morocco is not accessible to all citizens. Instead, individuals are required to pay exorbitant bribes ranging from 40,000 to 50,000 Moroccan dirhams. The officer asserts that this practice is prevalent, even in the absence of merit or competence. Such corruption has led to the Moroccan customs agency being ranked among the most corrupt institutions in the country. He adds that customs officials control smuggling operations, particularly drug trafficking in northern regions such as Ceuta, Melilla, Tangier, and Gibraltar. By allowing ordinary smugglers to pass through with food and other commodities, as well as enabling drug dealers in exchange for hefty bribes, customs officials have facilitated the illegal drug trade.
Issou went on to say that customs officials in northern Morocco enjoy lives of luxury. They reportedly possess high-end vehicles, reside in luxurious villas, and provide their children with the best brands. The significant fortunes amassed through drug-related bribes have allowed these officials to sustain their opulent lifestyles.
Regarding drug smuggling across the Algerian-Moroccan border, the dissident officer revealed that border guards, who are infantry units belonging to the Royal Moroccan Army, are complicit in these operations. By accepting large sums of bribes, they permit drug smugglers from Morocco to pass into Algeria with their illicit cargo. This complicity raises serious concerns about the integrity of border security and points to a broader systemic issue.
Issou further disclosed that two distinct types of drug smuggling occur. The first involves ordinary Moroccan merchants, who, with the help of corrupt officials, engage in illicit activities. The second type is more sinister, as it is orchestrated by Moroccan intelligence with a political objective. In this scenario, confiscated drugs seized by security services are deliberately re-smuggled into Algeria to flood the country with narcotics, thereby destabilizing Algerian society.
