Attempts to introduce more than five (5) quintals of smuggled cannabis via the borders with Morocco were thwarted, while 47 drug traffickers were arrested in operations conducted by combined detachments of the People’s National Army (ANP) from 8 to 14 February, according to an operational report released Wednesday by the Ministry of National Defence (MDN).
“In the dynamics of the continuous efforts of the fight against terrorism and the multiform organized crime, units and detachments of the People’s National Army carried out, during the period from 8 to 14 February 2023, several operations which led to quality results that reflect the high professionalism, vigilance and permanent readiness of our Armed Forces throughout the national territory,” the same source said.
In the framework of the fight against terrorism and securing the borders, “combined detachments of the ANP arrested six (6) elements supporting terrorist groups in separate operations across the national territory, while two (2) homemade bombs were identified and destroyed after a search and sweep operation in M’sila.
In addition, as part of the fight against organised crime and “in continuity of the sustained efforts to counter the scourge of drug trafficking in our country, combined ANP detachments have arrested, in coordination with the various security services during operations carried out across the military regions, 47 drug traffickers and thwarted attempts to introduce quantities of drugs from the borders with Morocco, amounting to five (5) quintals and 51 kilograms of processed cannabis, and seized 93,284 psychotropic tablets,” the MND release added.
In Tamanrasset, Bordj Badji Mokhtar, In Guezzam and Tindouf, detachments of the People’s National Army ” arrested 174 individuals and seized 27 vehicles, 170 generators, 103 jackhammers, 11 metal detectors, as well as quantities of explosives, detonation tools and equipment used in illegal gold panning operations “, the same report noted, 44 other individuals were arrested, and 12 shotguns, 2 automatic pistols, 995,000 shotgun ammunition, 103 quintals of tobacco, 7,154 units of various beverages and huge quantities of foodstuffs intended for smuggling and speculation amounting to 100 tonnes were seized during separate operations throughout the country,” the report added.
Furthermore, the Border Guards ” thwarted, in coordination with the National Gendarmerie , attempts to smuggle large quantities of fuel totalling 59,966 litres in Bordj Badji Mokhtar, Souk Ahras, El-Tarf and Tébessa “, the same source added, noting that the Coast Guards ” thwarted attempts to illegally emigrate from our national coasts and rescued 55 individuals on board small boats, while 457 illegal immigrants of different nationalities were arrested throughout the country”.
