Casablanca: Clandestine units supply construction sites with poor quality materials

According to sources cited by Al3omk, these illegal units are multiplying in the outskirts of the region, particularly in the provinces of Médiouna and Berrechid as well as in the prefecture of Mohammedia. These warehouses and workshops are set up in isolated areas, away from the authorities’ view. The Wali (governor) of the Casablanca-Settat region has ordered the prefectural and provincial governors to strengthen surveillance and set up joint commissions bringing together local authorities (Pachas and Caids), urban planning services, national security and Royal Gendarmerie forces, as well as tax, commerce and industry services.

These clandestine workshops manufacture essential construction materials - bricks, powdered cement, concrete blocks, bitumen, ready-mix concrete - without respecting any manufacturing standards or control procedures. They use artisanal machinery and unverified raw materials. According to the field reports transmitted to the authorities, some construction companies and real estate developers are turning to these clandestine units to reduce their production costs, using lower quality materials. This situation represents a risk for the quality of buildings and the safety of residents, particularly in social housing projects.

To evade taxes and duties, some operators have even created parallel distribution networks to channel their products to several major cities, including Casablanca, Marrakech, Fez and Tangier. In the coming days, targeted field campaigns will be organized to dismantle these illegal units, seize the equipment as well as the illegally produced or distributed materials. These campaigns could lead to the closure of several illegal depots and the legal prosecution of offenders. The authorities have noted an increase in complaints related to fraud and smuggling of construction materials, as well as their impact on public safety and the quality of infrastructure.