Counterterrorism, fight against organized crime (April 26-May 2): Distinct operations with qualitative results- Full communiqué
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS – Attempts to introduce more than 12 quintals of treated hashish via the borders with Morocco have been thwarted in operations carried out by detachments of the People’s National Army (ANP), in coordination with the various security services, during the period from April 26 to May 2, 2023, according to an operational report made public on Wednesday by the Ministry of National Defense (DND).
“As part of the fight against terrorism and multifaceted organized crime, several operations were carried out in the past week by detachments and units of the People’s National Army as part of their noble missions to defend and secure the national territory against all forms of threats, demonstrating the unwavering and unfailing commitment of the Armed Forces to maintain peace and security in the country, said the same communiqué.
As part of the fight against terrorism, detachments of the ANP “arrested five (05) elements supporting terrorist groups in different operations, while two (02) homemade bombs were discovered and destroyed in Blida.”
As part of the sustained efforts aimed at countering the scourge of drug trafficking in our country, combined detachments of the ANP intercepted, in coordination with the various security services, during operations carried out across the military regions, 42 drug traffickers, thwarted attempts to introduce 12 quintals and 56 kilograms of treated hashish from the borders with Morocco, and seized 116,503 psychotropic tablets.
In Tamanrasset, Bordj Badji Mokhtar, Guezzam, and Djanet, detachments of the ANP “arrested 160 individuals and seized 30 vehicles, 139 generators, 68 jackhammers, 6 metal detectors, as well as quantities of explosives, detonation tools, and equipment used in illicit gold panning operations,” noted the same source, adding that “22 other individuals were arrested and one (01) Kalashnikov-type submachine gun, 9 hunting rifles, large quantities of foodstuffs intended for smuggling and speculation amounting to 156 tons, as well as 3918 units of different drinks, were seized in separate operations across the national territory”.
Similarly, the Border Guards “thwarted, in coordination with the National Gendarmerie and Customs services, attempts to smuggle quantities of fuel amounting to 172,271 liters in Bordj Badji Mokhtar, Tébessa, and Souk Ahras”, pointed out the same source, noting, on the other hand, that the “Coastguards thwarted, at the level of our national coasts, attempts of illegal emigration and rescued 100 individuals on board craft-built boats, while 161 illegal immigrants of different nationalities were arrested across the national territory”.
