Morocco's Crime Rate Drops 9%

Over the first nine months of 2015, Morocco's crime rate dropped by more than 9% compared to the same period in 2014

Charki Draiss, the Junior Interior Minister, announced the figures at a briefing before the parliament’s interior committee on Monday.

Draiss told the lawmakers that the number of overall crimes has dropped from 211,576 in the first nine months of 2014, to 192,947 in the same period in 2015.

He said a significant decrease has been registered in crimes related to sexual assault, which dropped by 16.5%, while breaches to public decency have declined by 28% in 2015.

He hailed the efforts of security services in fighting all forms of crime, in order to ensure the security and tranquillity of citizens and pointed out that Morocco has substantially increase its efforts in curbing the activities of human trafficking networks thanks to the mobilisation of 13,000 law enforcement agents.

The Interior Ministry’s positive report on crime reduction came out at the same time as a report of the British Foreign Office which ranks Morocco among safest countries around the world.

In the 2015 map of the foreign Office released on the occasion of World Travel Market (WTM), held in London on November 2-5, Morocco is ranked among the world’s safest destinations for British tourists and emerges as the only safe country in the MENA region.

The term MENA is an acronym referring to the Middle East and North Africa region. The term MENA covers an extensive region, extending from Morocco to Iran, including all Middle Eastern and Maghreb countries.

Morocco is rated amongst the low-risk countries and ranks high alongside European and North American nations and leads the Arab world.

With the exception of Morocco, the other MENA countries are ranked among the countries not recommended by the Foreign Office.

The UK is one of the biggest suppliers of tourists in the world with nearly 60 million tourists a year.

Since 2013, Morocco became the first African destination from the UK, ranking far ahead of Egypt, Tunisia and South Africa.

See also: Putting Moroccan Crime in Perspective

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Does Casablanca Need A Crime Fix?

According to the huge Numebo database, Casablanca now ranks as one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Some blame the upsurge on a group known as the Tcharmil. Ibn Warraq has been looking at the media coverage...

Numebo’s Crime mid-year Index for 2015 ranked Casablanca number 67 out of 416 cities, with a crime index of 61.61 and a safety index of 38.39. Homicide, pre-meditated murder, corruption, delinquency, and violence combine to cause the city’s elevated level of violence.

According to Numebo, 69% of Casablanca residents and visitors have worries of being mugged or robbed. 58% are concerned about being assaulted, 64% of encountering people using or dealing drugs, and 82% have worries of corruption and bribery.

Casablanca is also the third most dangerous city in the Arab world. It was only preceded by Algiers and Libya’s Benghazi in second and first place, respectively.

Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea is ranked the most dangerous city in the world with a crime index of 93.61 and a safety index of 6.39. It is followed by South Africa’s Pietermaritzburg and Maracaibo in Venezuela. The murder capital of the world – San Pedro Sula, Honduras – saw 187 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2013, and is ranked fourth.

The Tcharmil

One of the main concerns, real or perceived, of Casablanca residents is a group known as the Tcharmil - a word taken from the spicy charmoula sauce common in Moroccan cooking.

The Tcharmil style has been around for a number of years, but suddenly became trendy four months ago in Casablanca. For some, the trend is mere entertainment — on the various Tcharmil-related Facebook pages, groups of teenage boys and girls show off, much like anyone their age, their new sneakers or football jerseys. Others, who see a link with the increase in crime and delinquency in Casablanca, see Tcharmil as a real threat.

According to Yassine Majdi, a journalist for the Moroccan magazine “Tel Quel”, Tcharmil is particularly popular among lower-income, maladjusted youths. “Many of these young people liken themselves to Tony Montana, the hero in ‘Scarface’, who is for them a sort of fantasy, a model for upward mobility. Like their heroes, they see bling, easy money, and violence as a means of acquiring respect. They do this to such an extent that it is difficult – even impossible – to determine who is really hiding behind these young men who boast of having committed terrible crimes: mere insecure fools, or highway robbers?"

Tcharmils, (who call themselves "mcharlines"), a mostly male group, believe they add "spice" to life in a country where, according to the World Bank, about half of Moroccan youth are neither in school nor in the workforce. It is unclear how many young people follow the Tcharmil trend. The Tcharmil lack any formal organisational structure.

Mounir Bensalah, an engineer who lives in Casablanca, says, "Insecurity in Casablanca, or any other large Moroccan city for that matter, is by no means new. Insecurity and crime were already rampant well before Tcharmil came along. Physical attacks and armed robbery have been problems in Morocco for many, many years. This is not surprising, given the level of inequality in our society.

"Personally, I don’t find these “mcharlines” very credible, mostly because those who adopt the Tcharmil codes are not always very discreet. They act out and boast of their exploits on social networks, which isn’t exactly what real criminals would do. Not only do such boasts harm them, as they are seemingly admitting their guilt, but they also provide the residents of Casablanca an easy group to blame for the violence in their city."

Since the Tcharmil phenomenon has come about, Mr Bensalah says the streets of Casablanca are abuzz with all kinds of rumours. "Lately, there have been reports of sabre attacks in some stores. I believe the authorities are partially responsible for this mass delusion. This type of rhetoric stirs up unjustified fears. Certainly, violence is a reality and a serious problem, but the policy dialogue on this issue should be more dispassionate."

Frankie Stiles, writing for Al Jazeera, reports that the Tcharmil are frustrated with what they describe as a lack of opportunities and respect. "These youth have found a new way to get the country's attention: brandishing swords in public and committing petty robberies. Many sport the "faux-hawk" haircut popularised by Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo."

"Tcharmil is expressed by young people deprived of things they want," said 20-year-old Moade Bouzide, who spoke to Al Jazeera under a pseudonym. In his Facebook profile photo, he brandishes three knives. "I would rather die than to live without honour. I cry because I am a man, but I feel I am treated like an animal."

Last year, Morocco's King Mohammed VI urged the interior ministry to take strict measures against delinquents, a move followed by mass arrests, including hundreds of Tcharmils. In April, Ahmed Elbhaoui, 26, reportedly committed suicide while in police custody after allegedly having his head shaved by the authorities.

The daily Al Massae reported that during Ramadan there was an upsurge in Tcharmil related incidents.

While some Tcharmils have been accused of muggings and robberies, others say they have simply adopted the group's look to express frustration with a lack of jobs, opportunities and respect for youth in the North African kingdom. According to Taieb Belghazi, a Mohammed V University professor who studies social movements, the Tcharmils reflect the discouragement felt by many Moroccan youth.

"These are young people who want to seek some kind of recognition," Belghazi said. "Taking actions that make them feel empowered or powerful enables them to get some feeling of notoriety; of importance." Belghazi, who has studied the Tcharmil phenomenon, says Moroccan youth - and especially those who adopt the Tcharmil look - are considered a threat by many Moroccan residents.

"[Many Moroccan] young people are very much into hooliganism … unruly attitudes and so on," he says. Tcharmil youth, Belghazi added; are "... getting back at the people who construct them as awful to gain some sense of being and of recognition."

Some Tcharmil post their daily "takings" on Facebook

Tcharmil Simo, a 23-year-old Tcharmil who spoke to Al Jazeera under a pseudonym, said the group provides an alternative to what he considers an otherwise mundane and dissatisfying life in Morocco. "I find Tcharmil as a way to escape from my problems," he said, citing family discord and financial struggles.

But many Moroccans have little sympathy for young people who rob and steal - no matter how unfortunate their home lives may be.

"Financial and social problems aren't a good excuse to be a Tcharmil," said Rachid Bouamri, a Moroccan lawyer who has seen many Tcharmil cases involving theft and assault go through the courts. "Most of the Tcharmil commit the same crimes again and again," he said. "They consider jail home."

Interior Minister Mohamed Hassad has acknowledged the problem with Morocco's Tcharmils, noting in a statement last year: "The government, in cooperation with the police, are doing our best to stop those who make people unsafe and fearful, so we are organising security campaigns all over the country to bring safety back."

Some Tcharmils, meanwhile, say the trend does not have to entail a life of crime. To them, it is about being stylish, boasting on Facebook about their Tcharmil identity and in some cases, pretending to be a criminal.

The government is organising security campaigns

"Tcharmil is the perfect way of life," Mourad, a member of the movement who did not provide a last name, told Al Jazeera. "Stylish and free is what I want to be." Belghazi said few Tcharmils have become actively involved in politics, despite their dissatisfaction with life in Morocco. In the past, he noted, young Moroccans could migrate to Europe in search of a better future. But between 2008 and 2012, migration from Morocco to Spain dropped by about two-thirds.

"Before all the tightening of migration regulation by the [European Union] … migration could be a way out of the social and economic problems that young people had," Belghazi said. "What you had since the tightening of these restrictions is a lot of young people not having the possibility of an exit. The Tcharmil is one of the possibilities for the young people to gain a voice."

The group's methods, however, may be hampering their chances further - and some Tcharmils readily acknowledge this fact. Simo said he regrets leaving school, and expressed remorse for his lifestyle and choices. "I still love Tcharmil and post pictures on Facebook, but I know this life is not healthy," he said. "Now it is too late to change my life. I hope [other] youth will have a better life and a chance to build a healthier life."

Image posted by a so-called  Tcharmil from Bendebab in Fez is probably fake

Further investigation supports the notion that the Tcharmil problem is widespread in Casablanca, and the phenomenon has also spread to other cities. Residents of Fez say that there are "large numbers of Tcharmil" in the area around Bendebab. However, many are said to be simply "fashion followers" and not hard core.


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Moroccan News Briefs #113

Moroccan TV pushes for better representation of women

The Moroccan channel 2M recently unveiled a  charter which it has established, for the enhancement of the image of women in the media. Recognizing that in the media in general does not adequately reflect the role of women in society, and diversity of responsibilities they assume, 2M has established an ad hoc committee that has worked for nearly a year with the various stakeholders, in a participatory and innovative approach .

This helped develop a a pilot project aimed at creating a positive ripple effect on to other media.

According to Salim Sheikh , CEO of 2M, "the persistence of negative female stereotypes in the media is an obstacle to self-esteem and promoting the rightful place of women in Moroccan society".

"2M , by its historical role as citizen chain and its status as a major public media leader, a pioneer role in the field of promoting gender role . It is a long process that requires the involvement of everyone, " he said.

Moroccan women occupy leadership responsibilities in the media. In fact, over 40 % of journalistic body 2M is composed of women. They also benefit from encouraging visibility with more than 40 % of transmissions broadcast being dedicated to women.


Fighting for gender equality in Morocco

Morocco World News reports that over the weekend Moroccan women organized a March in Rabat to denounce the government’s lack of will to implement the provisions of the constitution on gender equality.

Moroccan women organized the march in Rabat

Between 1,000 and 1,200 people marched on Sunday morning in Rabat in response to the call launched by Civil Coalition for the Implementation of Article 19 in the Moroccan Constitution. Demonstrators, who came from all corners of the country, including from distant cities such as Laayoune and Guelmim, denounced Benkirane government’s policy that “blocks the establishment of legal mechanisms guaranteeing the rights of women,” particularly those contained in Article 19 of the Constitution. Demonstrators demanded the elimination of all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls.

Article 19 of Moroccan Constitution, adopted by referendum in July 2011, clearly calls for gender equality and yet its implementation is taking very slow steps.

Article 19 states that: “Men and women have equal civil, political, economic, social, cultural and environmental rights and freedoms as listed in this article and in the rest of the constitution as well as the conventions and international treaties duly ratified by Morocco in conformity with the constitution’s provisions and the kingdom’s constants and its laws. The state shall work towards the establishment of parity between men and women. Therefore, it has assigned a specialized authority to ensure parity between men and women and fight against all forms of discrimination.”


Tourism represent 9.7% of GDP in 2024

According to a new 2014 report: "The economic impact of tourism and travel" by the WTTC (World Travel and Tourism Council ), tourism and trips to Morocco will grow significantly in 2014.

Tourism's direct contribution to GDP accounted for 76 1 billion dirhams, or $ 9.5 billion ( 8.6% of total GDP) in 2013 and is expected to increase 8.1% this year. This share would experience an average annual growth rate ( CAGR ) of 5.6% between 2014 and 2024 to represent term 141 500 000 000 dirhams ( DH), or 9.7 % of GDP.

The tourism sector had a direct workforce of 814,000 people in 2013, or 7.6 % of total employment. This contribution is expected to increase 6.1% in 2014 and 2.7% annually to 2024, to reach 1.13 million direct jobs (8.8% of total employment).

For indirect jobs, the WTTC expects an increase of 6.4 % in 2014, 1.91 million jobs. In the coming 10 years, 1.31 million indirect jobs will be created thanks to tourism and travel .


District Police in Casablanca nab a gang of scammers

National Brigade of the PJ in this Casa have caught a gang, reported to be the authors of many scams. These alleged suspects were arrested in possession of numerous falsified documents and hardware ( a scanner), says a police source. This band of seven alleged crooks has been raging across the country and scammed finance companies.

The seven under police guard

Their technique: after falsifying documents, including identity cards, the crooks have created "fictitious" companies with business registers also falsified. With these documents they managed to deceive banks into giving credit for the acquisition of luxury cars.

Though captured in Casablanca, the leader of the "mafia network" is from the south. He is said to be an expert in document forgery.

 "The members of this criminal gang admitted falsifying a dozen cards to date. With these false documents, the suspects were able to create 14 companies and build business registers to obtain bank loans. This allows them to feed an underground pathway for acquisition of luxury cars (twenty) they flowed thereafter at ridiculously low prices,  says the local Police Chief

Subjected to intensive interrogations, the suspects have admitted the facts alleged against them.

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Moroccan News Briefs #109

Rise in the Cost of Food

The New Year in Morocco brings about a rise in living costs. The price of many products increases early in 2014

The prices of basic food staples such as tea, sugar and cooking oils and fats increases starting from the beginning of January.

The increase in prices is due to the rise of the value added tax (VAT), and is in line with the Moroccan 2014 Finance Act, writes Youssef Sourgo from Morocco World News, quoting from sources including the newspaper Al Massae.

The price increase will also include plane tickets, as well as cigarettes, alcoholic and energy drinks.

“The VAT on tea, dietary fats and utility vehicles will move up from 14 % to 20%,” according to Al Massae, “whereas the VAT on sugar will increase by 3% (7% to 10%).”

Such increases in vital products, Al Massae says, “will penalise households.” Moroccans are big consumers of sugar and tea. The annual per capita sugar consumption is around 37 kgs, while tea is around 2 kgs per person.

“The VAT is an unfair tax,” notes Al Massae. “This is why economists always recommend the diversification of taxes in such a way that vital products are exempted and less important products are highly taxed.”

The daily newspaper cites Moroccan economist Najib Akesbi, who laments the taxation system of Benkirane’s government for doing the total opposite.

The 2014 Finance Act is expected to considerably affect the purchasing power of Moroccans. The daily newspaper foresees “social outrage” as a reaction to these unpopular measures taken by government that has disappointed the Moroccan middle class.

Before his assumed power in 2011, Abdelilah Benkirane, the head of government and of Party of Justice and Development (PJD) promised an improvement in the living conditions of the Moroccan middle class and the working class.

Youssef Sourgo says that, "Mr. Benkirane should stop for a moment and rethink his unpopular policies, which further weaken the purchasing power of Moroccans and threaten to bring about social unrest." Although a side effect may be a reduction in sugar consumption and, ultimately, the number of diabetics in the country.


Fez Robbery

Last Friday December 27 a gang of jewel thieves held up a jewellery store in the Narjiss area of Fez

At closing time, as the owner of the jewellery store was lowering the shutters, he was held up by two knife wielding members of the gang, who were joined by two others. When the owner resisted, he was badly beaten, and the robbers fled with more than 2 kgs of jewellry in a 4 WD vehicle with false foreign number plates.

On Saturday the combined efforts of several police departments led to the arrest of three members of the gang in the Ouislane neighbourhood of Meknes, while a fourth member is still on the run. Two women, including the house owner was also arrested, and a receiver of the stolen goods. Much of the jewellery was seized, as well as the car and weapons used in the robbery.



Huge Haul After ATM Scam

Robbery on a much larger scale was halted last Sunday after the arrest of two Moroccans and six Romanians suspected of perpetrating one of the most spectacular bank heists in history

A gang of cyber-criminals€ helped to steal more than $60 million from banks worldwide€ by hacking into financial databases and withdrawing money from ATM machines, reports Morocco World News. 

The eight suspects were allegedly following the instructions of an IT expert who was arrested in Germany. The ringleader was capable of hacking into the databases used by credit card processing firms and could modify security settings, including PIN number restrictions and withdrawal limits, before getting gangs worldwide to fake credit cards using some of the information.

Connected with a series of global bank heists, last February the hacking gang was able  to make transactions from ATMs in 23 countries and walked away with some $40 million€ in cash in just 13 hours.

Spanish police said on Sunday 446 ATM transactions took place in Madrid during a February raid, with the Spanish-based arm of the ring obtaining $400,000 in a heist totalling $40 million.€ During the same period, 34,000 illegal transactions took place worldwide.

The cyber thieves don'€™t wear masks or use guns, but are highly skilled hackers that penetrate bank systems in a high sophisticated technique and transfer money to accounts or use ATMs to withdraw money with the help of other coordinators on spot.

The arrest of the 8 alleged hackers was conducted by the Spanish police with the help of an American security agency.



Illegal Immigrants Offered Moroccan Residency

Last Thursday December 26 an amnesty was launched in Rabat to give residency permits to tens of thousands of immigrants living in the country illegally, after King Mohammed VI expressed concern about their harsh treatment by police. 

The mistreatment of Sub-Saharan Africans has prompted an immigration amnesty

Hundreds of people, almost all of them sub-Saharan Africans, queued outside the governor’s office in Rabat hoping to get their papers, which would officially allow them to reside and work in Morocco.

“Today is the start of the process to normalise the status of immigrants living in Morocco,” Migration Minister Anis Birou told AFP.

“There are tens of thousands of people who do not have papers. And this process aims to give them the same rights and duties as Moroccan nationals, to help them integrate into society,” he added.

He declined to comment on the conditions for obtaining a Moroccan residency permit, but has previously stated that these include being a resident for at least five years or having a two-year work contract.

The government in November unveiled what it called an “exceptional operation” to give official papers to some of the 25,000-40,000 sub-Saharans estimated to be residing illegally in Morocco.

The North African country has struggled to cope with the rising tide of migrants crossing its borders in the hope of building better lives in Europe, many of whom end up staying.

The Moroccan authorities have come under fire in recent months for their harsh treatment of sub-Saharan fortune seekers.

Rights activists say at least three immigrants — a Senegalese, a Cameroonian and Congolese — died as a result of police raids in northern Morocco since last summer and have called for a radical overhaul of the country’s immigration policy.

King Mohammed VI responded by admitting “legitimate concerns” and backing their calls for reform.


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Moroccan Police Have a Good Fortnight

Police in Casablanca seize a large amount of alcohol . The owner is currently in hiding

Moroccan police have been having a good couple of weeks. In Kenitra: 306 people were arrested in just 11 days, while in Casablanca  drug 72 dealers were arrested in the last 2 weeks

And now news that the police in Casablanca's El Fida Mers Sultan district have discovered  thousands of bottles of alcoholic drinks, including spirits, red wine and beer. The raid took place last Friday.

When the police visited the shop located in Derb El Kebir they uncovered a large amount of alcohol being marketed without authorization from the public authorities. They arrested the manager as he tried to escape and took him to  the police station in Derb El Baladi for questioning.

However, the owner of the illegal grog-shop has done a runner and is the subject of a nationwide search.

According to a local police source, the shop traded at night, to a late hour, to serve what were described as "the thugs".

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Beware Moroccan Internet Scam

A warning that there is a scam email circulating at the moment that may fool the unwary. Usually scam emails are easy to pick because the domain is Nigerian, Russian, Ukrainian or Bulgarian, but the reason we are pointing this one out is that the email, claiming to be from the CIA, is from a domain in Morocco.

Take close look at the email below and you will soon see that it is a very amateur attempt. For a start "Capt. Jeffry Adams, Investigation Officer of the Email Investigation Agency" is writing to "undisclosed recipients" from a Moroccan email address: blotel@menara.ma. which was not a CIA account when we last checked. Hopefully the Moroccan ISP Menara will close the account. Probably most embarrassing for the CIA is Captain Jeffry Adams himself, whose awkward use of the English language would certainly not be up to the Agency standards. One suspects he would have failed the entrance test!

This is from the email account investigation agency, we where set up by the U.N working under the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) Bodies, our duties is to monitor and investigate email addresses and mails to prevent individuals from getting scam.

You are hereby required to forward to this office via email; investigation-team@live.com every mail and content of anyone you are dealing any transaction with online or paying money to, or any email you suspect to be scam, so we can investigate them and let you know the legitimacy, and if any is to be Fraudulent, we shall immediately send the FBI after them, and charge them for Fraud

Our duties is to fight against scam and terrorism.

If Capt Adams would like to send us his personal details we will see if we can enrol him in an English Language class at the American Language Center.  Jokes about the poor language skills aside - never send personal email information to someone you don't know or open an attachment from an unfamiliar email address. Here are the basic rules.

If you encounter an unsolicited e-mail that asks you, either directly, or through a web site, for personal financial or identity information, such as Social Security number, passwords, or other identifiers, exercise extreme caution.

If you need to update your information online, use the normal process you've used before, or open a new browser window and type in the website address of the legitimate company's account maintenance page.

If a website address is unfamiliar, it's probably not real. Only use the address that you have used before, or start at your normal homepage.Always report fraudulent or suspicious e-mail to your ISP.

Most companies require you to log in to a secure site. Look for the lock at the bottom of your browser and "https" in front of the website address.

Take note of the header address on the web site. Most legitimate sites will have a relatively short internet address that usually depicts the business name followed by ".com," or possibly ".org." Spoof sites are more likely to have an excessively long strong of characters in the header, with the legitimate business name somewhere in the string, or possibly not at all.

If you have any doubts about an e-mail or website, contact the legitimate company directly. Make a copy of the questionable web site's URL address, send it to the legitimate business and ask if the request is legitimate.


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Visiting Small Moroccan Towns - A Cautionary Tale

If you are travelling solo in towns you don’t know well, it’s best to keep your camera tucked away until you wish to use it – particularly during festival periods.

Last Sunday a disturbing incident happened in the usually charming town of Sefrou, located about 30 kilometres from Fez. A Fez gallery owner was assaulted and his camera stolen while attending the end of the Cherry Festival.

“I’m well travelled and usually I feel safe in daylight, especially in the mornings,” said the gallery owner. (Name withheld on request.) “However, this happened at 10.15 in the morning.”

After crossing the bridge, “I lined up for a drink and to wash my hands at a fountain inside the medina. Before I realized what was happening, a young man of about 23 grabbed my camera strap from around my neck. When I held onto it he pulled out a sizeably sharp knife and proceeded to slice my arm - quite deeply in one place. An artery shot out a considerable quantity of blood. I quickly became soaked in blood as he continued to slice away at me.”

The victim's sneakers after the assault

After the owner let go of the camera - a Canon Rebel with a 40-50 mm lens - the young man ran off into the medina with it.

The gallery owner said the thing that shocked him most about the assault was that between 40-50 other people, both men and women, stood by passively as he cried for help.

Just outside the medina he managed to find two policemen who called an ambulance. He was then taken to a hospital where he received seven stiches for the wound to his hand.

Some of the stitches needed

A Sefrou resident told The View from Fez, “Sefrou has three times its normal population during the festival. The people come from the mountains and are desperately poor. Pick pockets come to town... Nobody here would walk around with a camera on their shoulder...I don't blame the festival, but Sefrou is normally not like that....At this time of the year, we even take the pot plants off our roof.”

The gallery owner suggests that, particularly if travelling alone, “you only take your camera out when you are going to do a shoot.”

Casablanca's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

'Wayward daughters. Missing Husbands. Philandering partners. Curious conmen. If you've got a problem, and no one else can help you, then pay a visit to Precious Ramotswe, Botswana's only - and finest - female private detective.'

So runs the blurb for Alexander McCall Smith's best-selling book, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. However, if you're in Morocco rather than Botswana and need similar services, look no further than Myriam Marzak in Casablanca.



Myriam (pictured above) claims she is the only woman private detective in Morocco, reports the BBC website. Most people tend to think that women can't do that kind of job, but Myriam takes on all sorts of cases, anything from finding out if someone is committing adultery to locating former employees who have stolen money from banks or insurance firms.

TRAINING

Myriam studied in Montpelier in France at one of the world's best detective schools. Then she worked in the French Ministry of the Interior, where she did most of her training. She returned to Morocco two years ago to set up her own agency. Myriam says that some 80% of detective school in France was about psychology - learning to read the body language and understanding the mentality of the person you’re trying to catch out. She gets to know her suspect so well that by the end she knows they are going to turn left at the end of the street before they do.

"We studied different cultures, to get to know their gestures, their way of thinking. The hardest criminals I’ve tracked are the Italian Mafia, because they are so alert and so untrusting."

"I don’t accept every case that comes my way," says Myriam. "If the client is after revenge, I won’t take the case on. And I won't help a man locate a woman without asking why. Once I’ve accepted a job, I work in absolute secrecy."

Myriam has an office, but no secretary as she fears that someone else typing up her notes could sell the information.

BEEN WATCHING TOO MUCH 'SPOOKS'?

"People think being a detective is glamorous, but in fact it’s a lot of long, hard work", explains Myriam. "There is a lot of planning involved, it’s not like in the movies. When I’m tracking someone, for example, I sometimes need to change transport, so I’ll need to ensure I have a bicycle waiting if I can’t go by car."

in disguise?

At times Myriam has to go undercover, when disguise is helpful.

"I can't tell you all the disguises I wear," she says intriguigingly, "but believe me, I can go unnoticed anywhere from a mosque to a brothel. I could follow you for a whole day and you wouldn’t know it. Recently I followed someone for two months, every day."

FRUSTRATION

What is difficult sometimes is when Myriam is investigating someone for one thing – perhaps he's run off with his wife’s money - and then she discovers he is also involved in paedophilia or child trafficking. It's beyond the remit of her case, so she'll usually go to the police about it. But often they don't have the time or resources to investigate, which is extremely frustrating for Myriam.

"Without flattering myself," asserts Myriam, "I was made for this job, because I like the depth of the work. The longer I stay on a job, the more interested I get. I’ve got the patience for it.
Sometimes there’s no time to eat, no time to take a break or go home when you’re tired. I am eaten up by my work. I find every case interesting and become obsessed."

Myriam on the streets of Casablanca

Photos: Pascale Harter

Spanish couple killed in Asilah

The seaside town of Asilah, just south of Tangier, was today the scene of the murder of a Spanish couple.


The English-language website, Barcelona Reporter, tells of a man and a woman, whose identities have not yet been released, who were stabbed during the night by a stranger who stole their money and passports.

According to police sources, the alleged murderer also stole the couple's car. However, later that night he collided with a truck, which led to his arrest.

The investigators of the case remain in the victims' house. They were a middle-aged couple who lived in Madrid and who had been taking holidays for the past ten years in this tourist town. The alleged murderer, who was not injured in the accident, has already been moved to Tangier for questioning.

The crime scene has a significant police presence, including members of the Judicial Police who have come from Casablanca, locals said. Asilah is a resort much frequented by the Spanish, many of whom have purchased second homes.

Moroccan Crime Boss "washed up"?

You really can't make this stuff up. "Crime boss tried to launder £600,000 in washing machine." But, yes folks, it is all true. According to reports in the UK media a Moroccan crime boss who attempted launder more than £500,000 of drug money using a washing machine, has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

However, the story about laundering is not to be taken too literally. The real story is that Karim Bernia aged 39 of Atkinson Road, Plaistow, dispatched a van driver to carry nearly £700,000 in cash gained from cannabis dealing back to Morocco.

When the vehicle was stopped in Dover in March nearly £600,000 was found in a hollowed-out washing machine in the back and £85,000 in the front.

Lyall Thompson, prosecuting, said: "The internal workings of this machine had been removed and that cavity had been filled to the brim with black sacks containing cash."

Tests on the 143 bundles of money found showed significant traces of cannabis, the court heard.

After arresting the driver, El-Hassan Bouhafna, police tracked down Bernia to his home in Atkinson Road, Plaistow, east London. Keys found at the property led them to a second van where they discovered another hollowed-out washing machine, the Old Bailey heard.

Mr Thompson said: "Mr Bernia was running a substantial money laundering enterprise. He was transferring large amounts of cash derived through drug activities to Morocco."

The judge, Recorder Douglas Day QC, said: "Those who involve themselves in this level of money laundering must expect to be dealt with severely."

Bouhafna, 45, a Moroccan of no fixed address, who was said to be a trusted associate of Bernia's, was jailed for 21 months after pleading guilty to transferring criminal property totalling £85,000.

Bernia, who is also from Morocco, admitted the same count, and a second relating to £600,000.

The judge told him: "I have no doubt that you are higher up the organisation – if not at the very top.

Maybe the most damming remark was the judge's comment "You were responsible for implementing a reasonably sophisticated scheme for exporting large amounts of money to Morocco. Ouch!

"This was a very serious case of money laundering relating to the poisonous trade of drug trafficking."

Now, if they had used Euros....

On a lighter note, it is all a great reason for the Brits not to be in the Euro zone. If they had used 500 euro notes they could have got the lot in a microwave. Perhaps the Bank of England limiting the Poms to £50 notes is doing them all a favour.