# Close Protection in Casablanca

Canonical page: https://closeprotectionhire.com/cities/casablanca/

Close protection and executive security in Casablanca, Morocco. North Africa's primary commercial centre with a manageable risk profile and specific legal considerations.


## Threats

- **Terrorism**: Moroccan authorities regularly disrupt Daesh-inspired cells. The threat is active. In December 2018, two Scandinavian tourists were murdered in the village of Imlil near Marrakech by attackers with documented Daesh links. The FCDO advises that terrorism is likely in Morocco. High-footfall areas, hotels, and transport hubs carry elevated exposure.
- **Motorcycle Drive-By Theft**: Motorcycle drive-by theft of jewellery and handbags is common in medina areas and busy commercial streets. Thieves operate in pairs, targeting visible valuables. The attack is fast, often involves physical force, and the chance of recovery is negligible. Operational awareness and discreet dress significantly reduce exposure.
- **Counterfeit Spirits**: Methanol poisoning from counterfeit alcohol has caused deaths in Morocco. Counterfeit spirits circulate through informal and unlicensed channels. Alcohol should only be consumed at licensed establishments. Methanol poisoning is potentially fatal, not a minor hygiene concern.
- **Seismic Risk**: In September 2023, an earthquake struck the High Atlas region southwest of Marrakech, killing approximately 3,000 people. Morocco sits on an active seismic zone. The 2023 earthquake affected transport infrastructure and emergency services capacity across a wide area. Business continuity planning for Morocco should address this risk.

## Regulations

- **Licensing**: Private guarding and cash transport in Morocco are governed by Law 27-06 on guarding and cash-transport activities (Loi n° 27-06 relative aux activités de gardiennage et de transport de fonds, 2007). Companies need an authorisation from the competent authority; Hespress reported in April 2021 that the wilayas grant these authorisations and that most companies then operated without one. Staff with convictions incompatible with the work may not be employed. Ask any provider for its authorisation under Law 27-06.
- **Firearms**: Article 13 of Law 27-06 allows the staff of guarding and cash-transport companies to be armed, but only in line with the existing laws and regulations on weapons. Our close protection in Morocco is unarmed as standard. Ask the provider in writing which authorisation covers any armed officer.
- **Foreign operators**: The rules for foreign security companies and foreign personnel under Law 27-06 could not be confirmed against a primary source on 7 October 2026. Work through a Moroccan company authorised under the law, and take local legal advice before a foreign team carries out protective duties.

Sources, checked 2026-10-07:

- [Le Matin, La police privée encadrée par la loi (2008)](https://lematin.ma/journal/2008/Opinion--et-Debat_La-police-privee-encadree-par-la-loi/99308.html)
- [Aujourd'hui le Maroc, Les agents de sécurité tenus de ne pas empiéter sur les prérogatives de la police](https://aujourdhui.ma/focus/les-agents-de-securite-tenus-de-ne-pas-empieter-sur-les-prerogatives-de-la-police-53962)
- [Hespress, Nouvelle vigie nationale, la sécurité privée saura-t-elle gagner en légitimité ? (12 April 2021)](https://fr.hespress.com/122336-nouvelle-vigie-nationale-la-securite-privee-saura-t-elle-gagner-en-legitimite.html)
- [Médias24, Gardiennage: le secteur veut s'organiser pour faire appliquer la loi (23 December 2013)](https://medias24.com/2013/12/23/gardiennage-le-secteur-veut-sorganiser-pour-faire-appliquer-la-loi/)

## Zones

Lower-risk areas:

- Casablanca city centre (Maarif, Gauthier): commercial and residential areas with established security infrastructure
- Ain Diab: coastal area, international hotels, lower crime profile
- Anfa: upscale residential and business area
- CFC (Casablanca Finance City): international business district with private security management

Elevated-risk areas:

- Medina areas: motorcycle theft is concentrated here. Avoid carrying visible jewellery or handbags in these streets
- Old Medina after dark: reduced police visibility and elevated opportunistic crime risk
- Bus stations and crowded market areas: pickpocket and distraction theft risk

## Emergency contacts

- Police: 190
- Gendarmerie: 177
- Ambulance: 150
- Fire: 15
- UK Embassy Rabat: +212-537-633-333
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Ibn Rochd, 1 Rue des Hopitaux (main public teaching hospital): +212 522 470 063 (source: ma.usembassy.gov/education/services-resource/medical-assistance/ US Embassy Morocco medical providers list, Casablanca clinics and hospitals section, verified 2026-08-31)
- Cheikh Khalifa Ibn Zaid Hospital, Hay El Hassani (private): +212 529 004 466 (source: ma.usembassy.gov/education/services-resource/medical-assistance/ US Embassy Morocco medical providers list, Casablanca clinics and hospitals section, verified 2026-08-31)
- Clinique Dar Salam, 728 Boulevard Modibo Keita (private): +212 522 851 414 (source: ma.usembassy.gov/education/services-resource/medical-assistance/, verified 2026-08-31, and the FCDO list of medical facilities in Morocco (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f4e45c08fa8f57fbd9fd6f4/Medical-facilities-in-Morocco.odt), which gives the same number)
- SAMU Casablanca (ambulance): +212 661 301 534 (source: ma.usembassy.gov/education/services-resource/medical-assistance/ Casablanca ambulances section, verified 2026-08-31)
- UMA, Union Marocaine d'Assistance (air and land ambulance): +212 522 450 000 (source: ma.usembassy.gov/education/services-resource/medical-assistance/ Casablanca ambulances section, verified 2026-08-31)

## Warnings

- Moroccan authorities regularly disrupt Daesh cells. The 2018 murders in Imlil were carried out by individuals with documented Daesh links. The terrorism threat is not hypothetical. High-footfall tourist areas, hotels, and transport hubs require the same awareness applied in any elevated-risk environment.
- Do not consume alcohol or spirits purchased from informal or unlicensed sources. Methanol in counterfeit spirits has caused fatalities in Morocco. Alcohol is only legally sold at licensed establishments.
- LGBT activity is illegal in Morocco. Sex outside marriage is a criminal offence. Drug possession carries long prison sentences and substantial fines. Evangelical or proselytising materials are illegal. These laws apply to foreign nationals without exception.
- Motorcycle drive-by theft in medina areas is fast and often involves physical force. Do not carry visible jewellery, handbags, or a phone in your hand in these areas. Brief all members of a visiting party before entering medina districts.
- Female travellers experience significant unwanted attention in Morocco when travelling without a male companion or outside clearly defined business contexts. Conservative dress reduces exposure but does not eliminate it.

Casablanca is the commercial capital of Morocco and North Africa's most significant financial centre. For most corporate visitors, it presents a manageable security environment. The threat profile is more legal than physical for day-to-day operations. Two elements require specific attention: a genuine terrorism threat that Moroccan counter-terrorism services work continuously to contain, and a strict legal framework that catches foreign visitors who are not properly briefed before arrival.

## The security landscape

Morocco's counter-terrorism services are active and capable. Authorities regularly disrupt Daesh-inspired cells. The government has invested significantly in domestic intelligence capacity since the 2003 Casablanca bombings. That investment does not eliminate the threat. In December 2018, two Scandinavian tourists were murdered in the village of Imlil, near Marrakech, by attackers with documented Daesh links. The attack targeted foreigners at a rural tourist location. It demonstrates that the threat is real and extends beyond Casablanca to any location associated with foreign visitors.

The FCDO rates the terrorism threat in Morocco as likely. High-footfall areas, hotels, and transport hubs carry elevated exposure. Standard situational awareness applies throughout the country, not only in major cities.

The day-to-day crime environment in Casablanca is lower than many cities in this directory. Motorcycle drive-by theft is the most common risk for business visitors. Thieves target visible jewellery and handbags in medina areas and busy commercial streets. The attacks are fast, often involve physical force, and happen in daylight. Briefing all members of a visiting party before any medina visit is a basic operational requirement.

Counterfeit alcohol is a separate and potentially fatal risk. Methanol poisoning from fake spirits has caused deaths in Morocco. Alcohol should only be consumed at licensed establishments.

## The legal environment

Morocco's legal framework carries significant risks for foreign visitors who are not briefed in advance. Drug possession carries long prison sentences and substantial fines. There is no graduated response for small quantities. Alcohol is legal only in licensed establishments. LGBT activity and sex outside marriage are criminal offences. Evangelical or proselytising materials are illegal. Photography of military or government infrastructure should be avoided.

Foreign nationals are prosecuted under these laws. A legal briefing is part of any responsible pre-deployment package for Morocco, regardless of the purpose of the visit.

## Operating in Casablanca

Casablanca Finance City (CFC) and the broader business district around Maarif and Gauthier provide a structured environment for corporate operations. International hotels in these areas have established security infrastructure. The risk profile in central business locations is manageable with standard precautions.

Outside these areas, and particularly in medina districts and tourist circuits, specific protocols apply. A security driver with Casablanca route knowledge is the baseline requirement. For UHNWI principals and any visit involving public-facing events, a close protection officer is the appropriate addition.

Female principals and senior female executives face a documented pattern of unwanted attention in Morocco, particularly outside formal business contexts. Security planning should address this explicitly, including dress guidance, route selection, and appropriate operator profile.

## Our operations in Casablanca

We deploy security drivers, close protection officers, and residential security teams in Casablanca and across Morocco. All operators go through our internal vetting process in addition to local regulatory requirements.

All enquiries are handled with maximum discretion. Client details are not retained on any public-facing system.

*Sources: FCDO Travel Advice for Morocco (April 2026). US State Department Travel Advisory for Morocco, Level 2 (April 2026). FCDO: December 2018 Imlil murders. USGS seismic data: September 2023 Morocco earthquake, approximately 2,946 confirmed fatalities.*
For comparable operating environments in our network, see our [Cairo city briefing](/cities/cairo/) and [Lagos city briefing](/cities/lagos/).

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Casablanca safe for business travel?

Casablanca is one of the more manageable destinations in this directory. The overall risk rating is low. The primary concerns for business visitors are petty theft in medina areas, the legal environment (strict laws on drugs, alcohol, and personal conduct), and the background terrorism threat. With appropriate operational awareness and a vetted security driver, most corporate itineraries present no significant security challenges.

### What are the key laws I need to know before visiting Morocco?

Drug possession carries severe sentences. Alcohol is only available at licensed premises. LGBT activity and sex outside marriage are criminal offences. Evangelical materials are illegal. Drone operation requires prior authorisation. Photography of military or government infrastructure should be avoided. These laws apply to all visitors regardless of nationality.

### Do I need close protection in Casablanca?

For most standard corporate travel, a vetted security driver and operational awareness briefing is sufficient. Close protection becomes appropriate for UHNWI principals, visits involving public-facing events, and itineraries that include medina areas or tourist circuits where the theft risk is higher.

### Is motorcycle theft a serious risk?

Yes. Drive-by theft targeting handbags and jewellery is documented across Morocco's medina areas. The attack takes seconds and recovery of stolen items is extremely rare. The risk reduction is straightforward: do not carry visible valuables in these areas.