The Drug and Psychotropic Substances Control Department of the National Gendarmerie’s Central Operational Service for Combating Organized Crime has dismantled an international organized criminal network specializing in illicit drug trafficking.
The operation was launched following intelligence reports indicating the network’s plan to smuggle a significant quantity of treated cannabis across the western borders for distribution across various regions of the country.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 141.18 kg of treated cannabis and the arrest of 11 individuals across several provinces, including Algiers, Tipaza, Batna, Oum El Bouaghi, Constantine, Sétif, and Oran. Some of the suspects were already wanted in connection with other drug trafficking cases.
Authorities have identified four additional suspects who remain at large, with search operations ongoing.
In addition to the drugs, security forces recovered five vehicles used by the criminal network, a sum of 20,670 Algerian Dinars, mobile phones, and 900 Euros in foreign currency.
The suspects were presented before the Public Prosecutor at the National Penal Pole for Combating Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime. The case was subsequently referred to an investigating judge, and all suspects have been remanded in custody at the El Harrach rehabilitation and reorganization center.
