Map confiscated by police at border
 

Hello all, just entered Morocco via Cueta the other day. Whole process took about an hour, pretty much all of that queueing. It was really easy, no forms, nothing to sign, just handed over my passport and vehicle reg doc and I was given my temp import licence 30 seconds later. The only question was where am I headed first so I said Fez and that was fine.

I was just leaving the border area and was stopped by two policemen. One seemed much senior to the other. Showed my passport, no probs, then they asked to see the paper map which was on the seat next to me (the Reise map). On looking at it they said it was illegal as it mentions Western Sahara. There seemed no question of me being in trouble, and I agreed that it was "wrong" but they wouldn't give it back. The junior policeman was very apologetic. I was made to wait for a few minutes and the senior guy appeared to phone back to the customs area and gave them my vehicle reg. I was then sent on my way with more apologies from the junior officer.

So, I hope I haven't triggered a clampdown on maps! They didn't check inside, I also had the Michelin map. I'm guessing it was a senior officer showing his authority. Still, I'd advise everyone to not have any maps on show.

Just pootling along the Mediterranean coast, before heading south. Lovely little spot at Jebna.

Happy new year to you all

Clive

Thanks for the tip, Clive.
Just checked my Mich which also IDs 'Sahara Occidental'.

A petty action of course but I have to say I am with the Moroccans; just about every map, paper and online, does not ID the region as things actually stand today, with an impassable berm going right through it.
All they need is the usual caveat about 'delineations of borders and boundaries ar not legally binding by international law', or whatever it is.

https://sahara-overland.com/western-sahara/

There’s been a dozen or so reports of this happening over the last few months to various people, so I wouldn’t worry about starting problems for people, your just the latest to have a problem with a map.

never had a problem with a map in maroc. but will make sure its out of site at border control !
As for El jebna its been reported as one of 12 places to visit to get away from the tourist route !!
Its err.... very Moroccan !
Hotels are err ..... Moroccan , but a great place to see .

I did mention another "town " a few post ago. but had little response. and its Inezgane south of agadier .. its a big transport hub . with buses and taxis going most places ,
Worth 1 day . Not much to see . but check put the scrap yards to see what they sell , the to the best place ,,,,,,,,,,,, sidi ifini.

Let's hope nobody's using Google maps then!

So perhaps if you redact the map first with a thick black pen over the forbidden words...?

When you open Google Maps in Morocco it doesn't show the WS as separate :thumbup1:

Same thing happened to me. Except the way they carefully wrapped my map made me suspicious that it would end up being sold somewhere outside.

They wouldn’t let me cut out the WS portion out, either.

Just carry two or carry it in a big pocket somewhere hidden and there’s no problem. The map was the first thing you saw when opening my case.