Constantine, Algeria – A notorious neighborhood gang has been dismantled in Constantine following a successful operation by the National Gendarmerie’s Research and Investigation unit. The operation, which concluded recently, resulted in the arrest of five individuals believed to be responsible for a range of criminal activities.
According to a statement released by the Gendarmerie, the investigation was launched after credible intelligence indicated the presence of a group involved in transporting and distributing hard drugs and psychotropic substances throughout various neighborhoods in the area. The group reportedly used a black Volkswagen vehicle in their operations.
“Upon receiving this information,” the statement continued, “we intensified our investigation, enhanced intelligence gathering, and closely monitored their movements. Once the identities of the gang members were confirmed, a meticulous plan was devised to apprehend them.”
A coordinated raid on the suspects’ residences led to the discovery of a significant cache of illegal items. Authorities seized 450 capsules of Pregabalin 300mg, a psychotropic substance, along with 104 ecstasy pills. In addition, two homemade firearms, twelve 16mm cartridges, and five bladed weapons of varying sizes were confiscated.
The Gendarmerie also uncovered four glass bottles filled with gasoline and fitted with wicks (Molotov cocktails), a sum of 864,000 Algerian dinars, a wooden table equipped with two motors used for sharpening bladed weapons (swords and daggers), and the vehicle used in the gang’s transportation activities.
The five individuals were taken into custody and transported to the Gendarmerie headquarters for further investigation. Upon completion of the investigation, a legal case will be prepared against the suspects. They will face charges related to managing and organizing a criminal group, illegal possession of weapons, and trafficking in hard drugs and psychotropic substances. DZWatch will continue to follow this developing story.
