Police-Customs Sting Foils Smuggling of 500 kg of Hookah Tobacco in Northern Morocco

Border Police and customs officers at the Bab Sebta border crossing in northeastern Morocco thwarted a smuggling operation of 501 kg of contraband hookah tobacco (locally known as Maâssel) that was being transported on a light vehicle on Sunday, a customs source reported.
Customs officials, in collaboration with the police, seized the large quantity of tobacco, which had been carefully concealed in several components of the vehicle bearing the registration number of the occupied prefecture of Sebta, as well a foreign license plate. It was being driven by a Moroccan national who resides in Sebta and was on the verge of entering the kingdom’s territory.
The vehicle and the merchandise, valued at around USD 40,000, were confiscated by the customs officers.
The suspect was handed over to the judicial police for further investigation, under the supervision of the prosecutor’s office.