Bejaia, Algeria – Algerian security services have dealt a significant blow to drug trafficking networks operating within the country. A coordinated operation between border police and customs officials at the port of Bejaia resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of synthetic drugs.
According to an official statement, authorities intercepted over 700,000 tablets of the drug ‘Ecstasy.’ The shipment originated from a French port and arrived in Algeria via a maritime route. The total weight of the seized drugs is estimated at 320 kilograms.
The illicit cargo was discovered using a joint police and customs scanner at the Port of Bejaia. The drugs were concealed within three tourist vehicles arriving from France, hidden in specially constructed secret compartments within the car bodies.
The operation led to the arrest of the three vehicle drivers, two women and one man. Further investigations led to a series of simultaneous operations in the provinces of Bejaia, Algiers, and Setif. These operations resulted in the dismantling of the organizational structure of a sophisticated criminal network and the arrest of 17 individuals, including one woman.
During the raids, authorities seized and recovered 18 vehicles of various types, approximately 20.2 million Algerian dinars, and 2,980 euros. Additionally, sensitive equipment, three firearms, and a collection of counterfeit seals and stamps were confiscated.
Authorities have identified other members of the international criminal network both within Algeria and abroad. Legal procedures are underway to apprehend and prosecute these individuals. The suspects have been presented before the Public Prosecutor at the specialized criminal division of the Sidi M’hamed court for further investigation and legal proceedings.
