Ouargla, Algeria – A major criminal network operating in the Ouargla region has been dismantled, resulting in the seizure of a massive quantity of psychotropic drugs and military-grade weaponry. The operation, conducted by specialized law enforcement units, culminated in the arrest of nine individuals allegedly involved in large-scale drug trafficking and arms smuggling.
Following a thorough investigation, an investigating judge at the specialized penal court in Ouargla ordered the provisional detention of four key suspects: Mohamed Bilal Omar, Mohamed Moussa Bilal Omar, Kelghalgh Mohamed Aissa, and Ben Guelia Belkheir. These individuals face serious charges, including possession, storage, and purchase of psychotropic substances for the purpose of sale within a transnational organized criminal group, and the illegal use of firearms.
Furthermore, the suspects are accused of aggravated smuggling that poses a threat to public security and health, as well as the unlicensed possession of weapons and ammunition classified under categories one and five.
The breakthrough in the case came during a search of a farm belonging to an individual identified as “Z.S.” in the Kara Krima area on November 30, 2025. The Regional Service for Combating Organized Crime in Ouargla discovered a staggering 665,550 capsules of the psychotropic drug Pregabalin, along with 96 pyrotechnic devices.
The search also yielded a Kalashnikov assault rifle with a magazine containing 27 rounds, two hunting rifles, 81 rounds of live ammunition, two transceivers, three Thuraya satellite communication devices equipped with SIM cards, two pairs of binoculars, and vehicles used in smuggling operations.
Among those arrested were individuals of foreign nationality. Investigations revealed that the criminal network comprised nine individuals operating across several Algerian provinces. The suspects were presented before the Public Prosecutor at the specialized penal court on December 10, 2025, leading to the launch of a formal judicial investigation and prosecution on charges related to organized crime, illicit trafficking of psychotropic substances, and the illegal possession of firearms. DZWatch continues to follow this developing story.
