Rabat – Morocco is currently facing a grave and growing threat in the form of the drug “L’Poufa,” known colloquially as “Boufa.” This potent variant of crack cocaine has tightened its grip on the country’s youth, creating an epidemic that authorities are struggling to contain.
Once regarded as the “drug of the poor ‘ due to its affordability, with a gram priced at just MAD 50 ($5.1), L’Poufa was originally confined to the streets and disadvantaged areas. However, it has now infiltrated schools and even teenage gatherings, becoming a silent menace that is steadily dismantling the lives of adolescents and young people across Morocco.
Security operations carried out by the National Security Services in close coordination with the General Directorate for Surveillance of the National Territory have been instrumental in combating the spread of L’Poufa.
During a period spanning from August 4 to September 2, these operations resulted in the arrest of 112 individuals suspected of involvement in promoting this dangerous drug. Additionally, a significant quantity of L’Poufa, totaling one kilogram and 413 grams, was seized, the Moroccan state media reported on Monday.
The General Directorate of National Security confirmed in a statement on Monday, September 4, that these security operations were conducted in several major cities, including Casablanca, Settat, Rabat, Fez, Tangier, Laayoune, El Jadida, and Khouribga. The primary focus of these interventions was on the outskirts of Casablanca and Settat, leading to the dismantling of six criminal networks involved in smuggling and promoting the drug in various areas.
Read also: Alarming Rise of ‘L’Poufa’: Crack Epidemic Sweeping Through Moroccan Youth
Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit, responding to inquiries from the House of Representatives, disclosed that from January 2020 to the end of May 2023, a total of 200 cases related to L’Poufa had been registered, with all these cases occurring outside educational institutions. In these cases, approximately 3 kilograms of the drug were seized, and 282 individuals were arrested and brought to justice.
L’Poufa, derived from cocaine, is prepared using sodium bicarbonate to convert cocaine powder into pure cocaine. Various chemicals, including ammonia, are used to transform it into a crystalline substance. When taken, L’Poufa is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, reaching the brain in just eight seconds. This speed of action, combined with its intense euphoric effects, has contributed to its popularity among some young people and adolescents.
However, addiction experts warn that the allure of L’Poufa is not without grave health risks. The drug triggers a surge in dopamine production in the brain, resulting in an immediate sense of joy that lasts for just 5 to 10 minutes, followed by a crash and feelings of depression.
Furthermore, L’Poufa can have severe consequences on heart rhythm, blood pressure, and mental health, potentially leading to fatal strokes due to its powerful impact on the brain, nervous system, and other bodily functions.
