Ouargla, Algeria – In a significant operation conducted late last month, the Regional Service for Combating Organized Crime (SRLCO) in Ouargla dismantled a transnational organized criminal network involved in smuggling and trafficking illicit psychotropic substances. Four individuals, including two foreign nationals, were apprehended during the raid.
According to a statement released by security services, the operation, carried out under the supervision of the competent Public Prosecutor’s office, resulted in the seizure and recovery of a substantial cache of contraband. This included:
- 665,550 capsules of the psychotropic substance ‘Pregabalin’.
- One Kalashnikov-type assault rifle with a magazine containing 27 rounds.
- Two hunting rifles and 12mm cartridges.
- Two daytime field binoculars.
- Sensitive communication equipment.
- 96 units of pyrotechnic devices (fireworks).
- Vehicles of various types used in the criminal activities of the network.
The operation was the culmination of meticulous field work and thorough investigations by detectives from the SRLCO. Their efforts exposed the criminal activity of this dangerous network, which had been using a farm located in the vicinity of Ouargla as a storage and concealment location for the substantial shipment of psychotropic substances, according to sources.
The suspects were presented before the Public Prosecutor at the specialized penal division in Ouargla earlier this week. DZWatch will continue to follow this developing story.
