(Ecofin Agency) - About 23% of Morocco’s GDP in 2016 came from cannabis production. This was revealed by the US State department in a report on global drugs traffic released on March 3rd. “Over the 2015-2016 season, Morocco produced nearly 700 metric tons of cannabis, which represent 23% of its GDP valued at $100 billion,” the report states.

The US State department also said Morocco which is the world’s leading producer and exporter of the crop, has become a major transit nation for cocaine coming from South America to Europe. This was proven by a seizure last year of 250kg and 1,230kg of the drug in Oujda and Dakhla respectively.

The report also reveals that cannabis is the most widely used drug in Morocco despite the internal heroin and cocaine markets. Around 19,000 people are being held in detention for drug traffic related cases. This makes 25% of the total number of jailed people in the country.

Morocco’s government however acknowledged its limitations in regards to the fight against drug traffic.

In this framework, according to the report, the US Drug Enforcement Administration/DEA opened its first African regional office in Rabat, while indicating that Morocco and the USA are yet to sign any bilateral extradition agreement.