International Journal on Criminology
The dynamism of the traffic is attested by the high level of seizures made in France . In 2018 , more than 85 tons of cannabis resin was intercepted , the second highest level ever observed , and in early 2019 , trends were still on the rise . 9 Therefore , given the millions of consumers in the year , tens of tons each month — 27 tons according to the former ORTIS ( Central Office for the Repression of Illicit Drug Trafficking ), now OFAST ( Office for the Suppression of Narcotics )— are needed to supply the French market , which , by the way , is the largest in the European Union .
We can therefore measure its importance , in financial terms , for criminal groups and the important consequences of the more or less partial closures of the borders decided by the States last March ( Morocco , Spain , France ).
Cannabis Resin Confined in Spain
Thus , for the criminal groups that export it from Morocco , where it is produced , several routes to Spain , which accounts for an average of three-quarters of the resin seizures made each year in the European Union , are already closed . This is particularly the case of ferry lines that leave the Moroccan coast , especially from Tangier and Al Hoceima , in the resin-producing Rif region , and reach the major cities of southern Spain , such as Malaga , Algeciras , Almeria , or Motril . This route is usually frequented by traffickers who load the cannabis resin into commercial and / or tourist vehicles .
Remains to reach Spain , the way of the seas . In addition to pleasure or fishing boats , Moroccan exporters mostly use semi-rigid boats , each capable of carrying up to 3 tons of cannabis resin , which cross the Mediterranean at night to land their merchandise on the coast or deeper into the country by going up rivers , such as the Guadarranque , renamed by traffickers the “ narcos highway ,” and the Guadalquivir . Some organizations can export up to 8 tons of resin per day .
The information made public by the Civil Guard at the end of March shows that the traffic continues : cannabis resin continues to reach the Iberian Peninsula , as evidenced by the recent dismantling of networks . Once landed , the hashish is received by teams working on behalf of wholesalers , many of them French , installed in Andalusia . This is where the heart of the wholesale market for cannabis destined for large outlets in France is located . In 2018 , nearly 84 percent of cannabis resin seizures came from Spain . 10
Once the orders are placed , teams specializing in transport are responsible for supplying the retailers . This is done by road by convoys of large sedans : the famous go-fast , or go-slow , which reach major French cities via motorways . These strategic roads are currently cut off , since France and Spain no longer allow pas-
9 OCRTIS , 2019 10 OCRTIS , 2018 .
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