Algeria: Gendarmerie seizes 300 guns, hand-made bombs and explosives

Investigations on an armed clash which has recently occurred between smugglers and borders guards in Bechar province (south-east of Algeria) showed that 2 guns, 12 cartridges of 407 bullets were seized, in addition to a GPS telescope.

• Two bombs were found with a Nigerian smuggler, who was wounded in the clash that happened in Boutbika area, Bechar as well.
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• The Algerian National Gendarmerie has seized a significant amount of firearms and explosives, which may be directed to terrorist groups.  A total of 186 hunting rifles, 49 automatic pistols and significant amount of explosive had been seized as well.
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• These figures are higher compared to previous periods by 42 percent.  
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• Arms smuggling represents 9 percent of the Gendarmerie treated crimes
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• Arms smuggling represents 9 percent of the total number of cases treated by the Gendarmerie. A plan has been adopted to confront the phenomenon, in addition to arms control rolling by armed civilians who belong to municipal and body guards.
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• According to data, a total of 210,000 various firearms have been identified, and registered in the Gendarmerie’s data base.