Algeria: “Four Security Bodies To fight Illegal Immigration And Criminal Activities Along The Country’s Coasts”

The relevant Algerian authorities decided that four security bodies, namely the coast guards, gendarmerie, police and customs, would henceforth work together to monitor the country’s coasts, in particular to stem the phenomenon of illegal immigration or “harragas”, in addition to checking various criminal acts.

A joint ministerial decree set out the modalities of coordination between the National Coast Guard Authority, the National Gendarmerie, the Directorate General of National Security and Customs in the field of coastal surveillance.

The decree published in the latest issue of the Official Gazette was also signed by Lieutenant General Ahmed Gaid Salah, Deputy Minister of National Defense and Chief of Staff of the National People’s Army, (ANP).

Accordingly, qualified personnel of the departments concerned who are entrusted with spearheading the joint monitoring patrols and will duly arrest the perpetrators and seize items that are directly related to the blameworthy acts committed and making a record in this regard.

According to the decree, information should be exchanged as a priority by all appropriate means, especially if it relates to acts of sabotage, trafficking, psychotropic substances, illegal and harmful activities, organized crime, and plans to attack targets at sea, from the land area on the ground from a marine area, as well as Illegal use of marine and land areas as transport routes.

Article 7 of the Ministerial Decree expands the scope of information exchange, particularly on the preparation or attempts of illegal immigration, illegal sailing and fishing methods near the shores of the sea, and damage to natural marine public property, including the illegal extraction of sand, gravel and mineral materials, as well as acts causing pollution.

The executive decree also stipulates that the relevant security bodies must hold periodic coordination meetings at the local, regional and central levels, and raise security issues for all coastal provinces, which are identified, and assessed with practical and efficient measures being taken in order to face up to any contingency.