60 tons of explosives seized since early 2008

National Gendarmerie Forces foiled late last week in Souk Ahras province, in eastern Algeria, a smuggling attempt by a lorry driver who was funneling a load of 25 tons of chemical fertilizers ostensibly destined to a GSPC bomb – making underground workshop in the region.

• The lorry was intercepted in a Gendarmerie check – point in the Rakouba area on National road 81. After a preliminary investigation, it was established that the arrested lorry driver had no link whatsoever with the agricultural sector.
• Moreover, he possessed no official documents testifying to the origin and destination of this load of smuggled chemical fertilizers. .
• These dangerous products are duly processed before being turned into explosives by the GSPC terrorist gangs who use them in deadly bomb attacks as it was the case in the recent past.
• The security inquiry also showed that several workers of the ASMIDAL group were involved in this fertilizers’ trafficking ring for the benefit of terrorist groups based in the Souk Ahras region.
• They have been remanded in custody after being rounded up by  a Gendarmerie squad.
• It should be noted that 200 tons of chemical fertilizers could serve for the making of very powerful explosive devices.
• One ton of chemical fertilizers, whose commercialization and use are closely monitored by the security forces, is estimated at 800.000 dinars (8000 Euros) on the national market.