Some fish exporters in Laâyoune are not satisfied with the profitability of their business. They want quick and substantial gains. However, they often do not choose the best path. This is the case of the owner of a freezing unit at the port of Laâyoune who, in order to get rich quickly, did not hesitate to ship a few tonnes of chira, in addition to the frozen fish he was supposed to send to the USA. Unfortunately for him, the customs officers at the port of Agadir were vigilant and realised that the containers coming from Laâyoune contained something other than frozen fish.

This is the reason for the arrival in Laâyoune of an investigative commission from the General Staff of the Royal Gendarmerie. This commission went directly to the town of Al Marsa, 25 km south of Laâyoune, where the industrial unit owned by the alleged chira exporter is located. There is also talk of a foreign investor who is said to be the mastermind of the operation and who allegedly benefited from the complicity of several individuals.

The commission reportedly already questioned the commander of the Al Marsa brigade and his collaborators, before looking into their numbers and working conditions in light of the demographic development the city is experiencing. It also took an interest in the relationships between the brigade members and fishing professionals.