BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- The National Economic and Financial Penal Pole’s Public Prosecutors Office released, on Wednesday, the preliminary findings from a judicial investigation into a network involved in fictitious activity related to the trade of gold and silver. The investigation revealed that the network was engaged in tax evasion and money laundering, depositing large sums of money into bank accounts through complicated and diverted procedures. These methods were used to justify fictitious invoices for non-existent commercial activities.
As a result of the investigation, 135 kg of gold, over 180 kg of raw silver, more than 140 billion centimes, and numerous vehicles were seized. The investigation targeted 25 individuals, resulting in 19 being placed in pre-trial detention and six under judicial supervision.
The charges brought against the individuals include damage to the national economy, tax evasion, money laundering as part of an organized criminal gang, forgery and use of forgery, breach of foreign exchange legislation, and carrying on business illegally. This case highlights the importance of cracking down on illegal activities that harm the economy and society as a whole.
