Why Criminal Gangs Are Killing for Sand: The Sand Mafia

Sand may seem like an endless resource, but the truth is far more troubling. The construction industry depends on sharp, angular river sand — not the smooth grains of desert dunes. As global demand surges, this vital resource is being stripped from rivers and coasts faster than nature can replace it. In countries like India, Morocco, and Kenya, this shortage has fueled a violent black market, controlled by cartels known as sand mafias. These groups will stop at nothing — intimidation, corruption, and even murder — to secure control over sand supplies. What looks like a humble grain has become the foundation of a billion-dollar criminal empire.