Customs units in the jurisdictions of Tebessa, Oum El Bouaghi, and Bir El Ater carried out several operations resulting in the seizure of 66,000 bags of chewing tobacco (shamma), 5,000 packs of foreign cigarettes, and significant quantities of subsidized goods, with the arrest of three individuals.
Customs services explained that 66,000 bags of chewing tobacco were seized without commercial documentation. The goods were loaded onto a truck, and two individuals were arrested, along with the seizure of camouflage tools used for smuggling.
The same services also seized 5,000 packs of smuggled foreign cigarettes, along with a passenger car used in the smuggling operation, and arrested one person.
Furthermore, attempts to smuggle significant quantities of subsidized food products through border crossings were thwarted between March 1 and March 10, 2026. The seized food items included 4,331 liters of cooking oil, 1,415 kg of sugar, 277 kg of coffee, and other goods.
These operations confirm the vigilance of Algerian Customs officers and their constant mobilization to combat all forms of smuggling, particularly regarding sensitive and subsidized materials, contributing to the protection of the national economy and the maintenance of market stability.
