Customs services, in collaboration with various security authorities, are intensifying their investigations into the use of gold for money laundering linked to drug trafficking. Particular attention is paid to legal commercial circuits for the precious metal in order to counter these illicit practices.
Recently, the risk analysis unit of the National Customs Brigade alerted the surveillance services of the regional and provincial directorates. Reports reveal an increase in the use of gold to launder funds from drug trafficking. In response, customs have tightened controls on gold supply chains, including points of manufacture, import, export and sale.
Customs services have also intensified their cooperation with the General Directorate of National Security and the Royal Gendarmerie to track the use of gold in illegal transactions. Regions such as Casablanca, Marrakech, El Jadida, Rabat and Kenitra are particularly monitored due to the growing demand for gold and suspicious falsification of invoices and bank transfers. Investigations have shown that drug trafficking networks are increasingly using gold for immediate payments, thereby bypassing traditional financial mechanisms.
Working with financial services, customs carefully monitors gold-related transactions for suspicious activity. This includes monitoring reporting obligations for transactions above a certain amount, in particular via suspicious transaction reporting. Morocco adheres to international standards for combating the financing of terrorism and money laundering, such as those defined by the International Financial Action Task Force (FATF). On the ground, this involves rigorous control of gold transactions, including systematic verification of the identities of customers and suppliers.
Finally, the Customs and Indirect Tax Administration now carries out an in-depth analysis of the serial numbers and seals of gold jewelry seized during operations linked to drug trafficking. This approach is part of a detailed investigation into the local market, aimed at countering growing attempts at money laundering through gold, involving both Moroccan nationals and foreigners engaged in suspicious activities.
