Morocco ranks 79th globally in the 2025 Global Organized Crime Index, reflecting a moderate level of organized crime with significant challenges in human trafficking, drug trade, and corruption. Despite efforts to combat these issues, systemic corruption and resource constraints hinder progress, while the country remains a key transit point for drugs and a major producer of cannabis, exacerbating its complex crime landscape. The Global Organized Crime Index 2025 ranks Morocco 79th out of 193 countries, indicating a moderate level of organized crime compared to nations with higher rankings. Within Africa, Morocco ranks 26th among 54 countries and second in North Africa, behind only Libya, which continues to face severe organized crime challenges. According to the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, based in Geneva, human trafficking remains a major concern in Morocco. The country functions simultaneously as a source, transit, and destination for trafficking. Foreign migrants, particularly women and children, are at heightened risk of forced labor and sexual exploitation en route to Europe. Moroccan nationals are also trafficked abroad, mainly to Europe and Gulf states, while domestic trafficking persists in domestic work, agriculture, construction, and the sex industry. Despite a rise in arrests and thwarted infiltration attempts in 2024, the report stresses that corruption and limited resources continue to hinder efforts to curb trafficking. In the illicit arms trade, the report notes that activity in Morocco remains limited but is interconnected with other illegal economies, such as drug and human smuggling, which share similar networks. Meanwhile, the counterfeit goods market remains strong, supported by Morocco's strategic location, developed infrastructure, and systemic corruption. Although there has been a slight reduction in visible counterfeit goods, underground operations remain active across electronics, pharmaceuticals, fashion, and alcohol smuggling. Regarding environmental crimes, the report highlights that plant-related offenses, particularly the illegal cedar wood trade, involve organized networks as well as smaller operators in illegal logging and cross-border smuggling. Animal-related crimes are also evolving, with perpetrators ranging from illegal hunters to international traffickers. Some networks now use drones and encrypted communications to evade detection. On drug trafficking, Morocco remains a key transit point for heroin from Asia to Europe and a strategic hub for cocaine moving from South America to Europe, supported by recent seizures, including one exceeding a ton in early 2024. While demand is largely external, local consumption continues, particularly among wealthy individuals and expatriates in major cities. Smuggling networks often rely on corrupt officials and logistics providers to sustain their operations. Environmental, Cyber, and Financial Crimes The report identifies Morocco as one of the world's largest cannabis producers, benefiting from the favorable conditions of the Rif Mountains. Although cannabis cultivation was legalized for industrial and medical use in 2021, illegal production persists due to enforcement delays and limited economic alternatives for small farmers. The synthetic drug market is also expanding, driven by cheap production methods and advanced smuggling techniques, with increased local use of Bofa, a highly addictive drug made from drug waste and toxic materials. Cybercrime is becoming increasingly sophisticated, with criminals using artificial intelligence, cryptocurrencies, and the Internet of Things to enhance operations and conceal activity through encrypted communications and international partnerships. Financial crimes, including fraud, embezzlement, and abuse of power, remain widespread, particularly among influential public officials. Finally, the report underscores persistent governance challenges: political power remains concentrated, limiting the independence of institutions and weakening the judicial system's capacity to effectively combat organized crime.
