OSAC Country Security Report Morocco Last Updated: July 27, 2021 Travel Advisory The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Morocco at Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. The Institute for Economics & Peace Global Peace Index 2021 ranks Morocco 79 out of 163 worldwide, rating the country as being at a Medium state of peace. Crime Environment The U.S. Department of State has assessed Casablanca as being a HIGH-threat location and Rabat as being a MEDIUM-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Morocco. The crime emergency line in Morocco is 190 from a mobile phone and 91 from a landline. Review the State Department’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure. Crime: General Threat Media reporting and anecdotal observations indicate that the frequency and intensity of crime in Morocco’s major cities is similar to other large cities in North Africa. The most common crimes are petty crimes, such as pickpocketing, theft from unoccupied vehicles, robberies, purse snatching, and burglaries. Criminals focus on high-traffic and high-density areas such as tourist sites, markets, medinas, and festivals in major cities. Criminals tend to fixate on people who appear unfamiliar with their surroundings, dress in obviously foreign clothing, or otherwise draw attention to themselves. Due to the low availability of firearms in Morocco, when violent crimes occur, they tend to involve edged weapons such as knives (and occasionally swords). Larceny and residential burglaries are common in low-income neighborhoods, and occasionally occur in more affluent neighborhoods. Pedestrians walking alone in isolated areas, or late at night, are at greater risk for becoming a target. Gratuitous displays of wealth may attract unwanted attention and increase the risk of becoming a target. Dress in a conservative manner, do not display a large amount of currency, protect smart phones from being easily snatched, carry wallets in front pockets, ensure you carry purses/backpacks securely, and do not wear elaborate jewelry/watches. Guard possessions carefully on public transportation. Leaving any item of value unattended in a public place or in a vehicle in plain sight can make that item the target of petty theft. Have a friend or colleague watch the surrounding area as you focus on completing your transaction at an ATM. Visitors, especially females, should make a concerted effort to travel in pairs and avoid walking alone at night. Travel in pairs/groups, drink in moderation, maintain control over drinks, and never accept drinks from strangers. Avoid being out alone and during late-night or early morning hours. At night, avoid areas that are poorly lighted or secluded. The government of Morocco’s Annual Crime Rate Report highlighted a slight decrease in violent crimes in 2020, noting that law enforcement ultimately resolved most cases. The report also noted increased efforts to combat criminal networks, particularly those involved in illegal immigration and forgery. 1 Morocco recorded 851,343 criminal cases in 2020, a 33% increase from 2019. Security forces solved 96% of those cases, crediting the use of better scientific and technical tools at crime scenes. DGSN stated that the significant increase in crime was due to COVID-19 lockdown violations, fake news, and the trafficking of unsafe face masks and disinfectants: In 2020, there were 968,967 violations and crimes related to breaking COVID-19 restrictions by violating the lockdown or manufacturing and distributing unsafe medical supplies. While overall crime increased from the previous year, many categories of crime decreased. There were 30% fewer cases of property crime, including burglary, theft, vandalism, and others. Criminal offenses against people decreased 4.72%, with the number of victims of crime declining 14%. Authorities arrested 779 suspects allegedly linked to 469 criminal networks, and 466 suspects allegedly connected to 123 human trafficking networks. Most residences in Morocco are designed to prevent unauthorized entry. This generally means security grilles protecting accessible windows and glass doors; exterior doors have a minimum of two deadlocks. Single-family homes usually feature walls that discourage intruders from entering the premises. Apartment dwellers are more at risk from intruders gaining access via adjacent balconies or structures. Crime: Areas of Concern Morocco is a popular destination for outdoor activities. Anyone traveling into remote areas in Morocco should use a licensed and accredited guide and be prepared to check in and out of remote checkpoints by presenting their passport number. Moroccan authorities may restrict access to certain areas; only camp within designated camping areas. While the Royal Gendarmerie is capable of responding to backcountry emergencies, travelers should ensure that they are well-prepared and appropriately provisioned prior to departing for remote areas, and that someone not on the trip has a copy of their proposed travel itinerary. Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind, Hotels: The Inns and Outs, Considerations for Hotel Security, and Taking Credit. Kidnapping Threat The kidnapping threat in Morocco has historically been low. Incidents of reported kidnappings in the media in 2019 generally related to family disputes or drug trafficking retaliations. The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Morocco. Review OSAC’s reports, Kidnapping: The Basics and Active Shooter and Kidnapping Response Tips. Drug Crime The illicit drug trade is thoroughly entrenched in Morocco. Most of the drugs produced or transported are destined for European markets. The primary drugs exported from Morocco are cannabis derivatives produced in northern Morocco, as well as cocaine. Morocco is a transit country for cocaine traffickers who funnel their product from South America into Europe and Sub-Saharan countries. Criminals launder the proceeds of the drug trade primarily through goods, real estate, and businesses; illicit funds often move across borders through use of hawalas and bulk cash smuggling. The government expends a great deal of effort into fighting international narcotics trafficking. Penalties for possession of narcotics are severe, and authorities deal harshly with suspected traffickers. Police/Gendarmerie corruption regarding drug trafficking is not unheard of, and while authorities have occasionally been implicated in assisting traffickers, they are tried and punished when identified. 2 Drug-related arrests dropped by 23% in 2020, totaling 97,564 arrests. Security forces noted that the decline in drug-related offenses was likely due to the decline in international smuggling activity during the pandemic and border closures. Many homeless individuals in large cities are addicted to huffing solvents such as gasoline, paint, and glue. These individuals often engage in criminal activity or collapse on sidewalks or in the streets in drug- induced stupors. Additionally, poor youth abuse a cocktail commonly known as “karkoubi,” which contains a mixture of benzodiazepines (e.g., Rivotril, Xanax, Valium), alcohol, cannabis, and glue. Karkoubi elicits violent behavior in those who consume it. Consult with the CIA World Factbook’s section on Illicit Drugs for country-specific information. Terrorism Environment The U.S. Department of State has assessed Casablanca and Rabat as being MEDIUM-threat locations for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The U.S. Department of State has included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Morocco, indicating that terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist. Review the latest State Department Country Report on Terrorism for Morocco. The Institute for Economics & Peace Global Terrorism Index 2020 ranks Morocco 102 out of 163 worldwide, rating the country as having a Very Low impact from terrorism. Terrorism: General Threat The Government of Morocco employs a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy that includes vigilant security measures, regional and international cooperation, and counter-radicalization policies. However, terrorist attacks occurred in Morocco in 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2018. The 2018 attack targeted two female Scandinavian tourists by extremists, claiming allegiance to ISIS, who followed the women into a remote hiking area near Imlil and murdered them. More than 1,600 Moroccan nationals have traveled to conflict zones to fight alongside extremist groups. Many of these individuals may try to return to Morocco, especially as successful anti-ISIS efforts in Syria, Iraq, and Libya progress. Moroccan security services are aware of the potential danger these individuals may pose and have gone to great lengths to intercept them at international border crossings. Moroccan security services are generally proactive and effective in identifying and neutralizing terrorists and terror cells. According to local media reports, the Moroccan government has broken up hundreds of terrorist cells, many of which expressed allegiance to or sympathy with ISIS. These arrests often include individuals spreading extremist ideologies and propaganda.