Algiers – A clandestine workshop engaged in forging expiry dates on food products has been dismantled in Algiers, DZWatch can exclusively reveal. National Gendarmerie forces successfully raided the facility, uncovering a sophisticated operation that put public health at serious risk.
The raid, conducted by the National Gendarmerie’s territorial brigade in Ouled Mendil, Douira, followed a tip-off regarding a warehouse being used to store expired, subsidized powdered milk intended for fraudulent cheese production.
Coordinating with the Public Prosecutor, the Directorate of Commerce, and the Municipal Health Office, authorities descended on the suspected location. The investigation quickly revealed that the workshop was operating without any legal documentation or commercial registration. A staggering amount of unusable materials was seized, including:
- Approximately 400 bags of spoiled powdered milk
- Expired cheese products
- 660 kg of expired and prepared raw materials
- 3,792 kg of ready-to-market counterfeit cheese
- 25 cardboard boxes of plastic packaging
- 175 bags of sodium powder
- Forged labels of well-known brands
- 30 counterfeit wooden stamps belonging to various food companies
The Gendarmerie also discovered an undeclared refrigeration unit and equipment used for counterfeiting trademarks and falsifying production data. The scale of the operation suggests a well-organized and potentially widespread network.
Legal proceedings have been initiated against those involved. They face serious charges, including:
- Unlawful speculation in essential commodities
- Diversion of a primary material from its preferential purpose
- Unauthorized storage of goods
- Illegal operation of a refrigeration facility
- Counterfeiting of food products
- Use of expired food ingredients
- Conducting commercial activity without a trade register
This bust highlights the ongoing efforts to combat food fraud and protect consumers from potentially harmful products. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected illegal activity related to food safety.
