The Royal Gendarmerie forces in Bouarfa, northeastern Morocco, have arrested a gold and precious metal smuggling network and seized 36 kilograms of raw gold in the form of ingots, according to converging news reports.
The authorities’ interception occurred near the Moroccan-Algerian border, where officials stopped a vehicle carrying three individuals in possession of the gold that had been smuggled illegally from Algeria.
The suspects tried to bribe the authorities with over 9 million MAD in exchange for their freedom and to release the gold. However, the gendarmes followed procedure, rejecting the bribe and seized the money.
The value of the seized gold is estimated at over 16 million MAD. The gold was intended for various national markets.
The smuggling network appears to have a national reach, using the Moroccan-Algerian border as a primary entry point for gold and other precious metals, including diamonds. Investigators are actively working to identify and apprehend other members of the network operating in various cities across the country.
The recent spike in raw gold prices in Morocco, exceeding 640 MAD per gram, has intensified smuggling activity. The high demand has made gold increasingly scarce on the national market. Artisans are struggling with a shortage of raw gold and are resorting to using recycled gold for jewelry making.
The suspects are now remanded in custody under the supervision of the public prosecutor’s office for further investigation.