Hiding drugs in trucks to smuggle them to the other side is not a scenario that dates back to yesterday. A situation exposes transportation companies to considerable legal and reputational risks. Sometimes involved in these affairs, the employees of these companies are now seen as key players, whether they like it or not, they systematically find themselves under suspicion.
Indeed, several professionals in the international transport sector believe that there is a relationship “ illegal » between this area and international drug trafficking as well as its cross-border and intercontinental networks. However, this impression does not seem to bother representatives of international transport associations.
Under condition of anonymity, a responsible source at the port of Tanger Med confirmed to Hespress that “drug seizures in international transport trucks are not necessarily linked to an activity organized by exporting companies”. In many cases, this concerns the drivers.
Passing the buck back to the drivers, the same source explained that international drug trafficking operations come in two forms: one involves trying to smuggle out a quantity of drugs less than 5 kilograms, hidden in a bag or tied around of the size of the driver. In these cases, “ the driver is prosecuted, while the company is held civilly responsiblel ».
The professional added that, in the case of seizures of large quantities of drugs hidden in places prepared for this purpose or of large quantities hidden in places supposed to be monitored by the company, the prosecution concerns the company which is supposed to assume liability in such cases.
In the event of legal proceedings, our speaker reiterates before mentioning that an amicable settlement through the payment of a fine is the most likely solution, with a reduction margin of 10%. The value of the fine is determined by the quantity of drugs intended to be trafficked, and the accused must pay at least double its value to the state.
Also joined by Hespress, Amer Zghino, president of theMoroccan Association of Intercontinental Road Transport of Morocco (AMTRI) explained that there is a big difference between “ finding drugs in a truck hidden in merchandise, such as frozen fish, where the business owner is responsible. On the other hand, if a secret box or compartment is found in the truck, the business owner is also responsible, as he must take care of the goods exported via his truck”.
Regarding the measures taken by AMTRI in the event of proof of the involvement of a member of a company in international drug trafficking, Zghino clarified that “ the action taken depends on the involvement of the employees, if it is proven, the exclusion of the suspect is established” emphasizing that this problem “does not create any concern for us, because the association cannot be held responsible for the actions of its members“, he concludes.
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