More than 20 million m3 of sand is stolen annually in Morocco Morocco\'s beaches are facing a constant problem of sand looting, which is leading to an environmental disaster. Experts suggest that the sea water is exceeding its natural limits , which could lead to the closure of beach areas.
According to official reports, more than 20 million m3 of sand is stolen annually; with \"mafia\" trucks said to be behind the theft. Loaded trucks can fetch up to 12,000 Moroccan dirham.
The Moroccan government launched a law two years ago to criminalise the looting and theft of beaches or coastal sand; however the government’s control of this issue was very limited.
According to this law, the act of stealing sand beach is punished by 500 dirham fine for every 1m3 stolen sand.
However, this law has remained ink on paper, with lack of security guards on beach areas to face these organised gangs.
Beach theft is considered a worldwide phenomenon - two instances of beach thefts that have been widely reported in the media are Hungary in 2007 and another in Jamaica in 2008.