Algerian judicial authorities to open the “ZH cars” file again

More than a decade after, the Algerian judicial authorities succeeded in shedding light on some shadowy zones of the so called “ZH cars” case, which raised the public opinion’s interest in the beginning of the 1990s.

The events go back to the eve of the 1990s when, the Algerian customs seized some 150 cars in the port of Algiers , all bearing the county code “ZH” in reference to the Swiss town, Zurich .

Amazingly enough, some citizens have settled the administrative situation of these cars despite the lack of their serial numbers. Consequently, some 1500 cars were circulating in the Algerian streets acquired with an affordable price in some car retailers, especially that the Algerian authorities have opened the market for some car distributors here in Algeria .

Who stands behind?

In 1990, the Swiss authorities decided to renew their car park including some 40 thousand used cars which circulated more than 10 years. For that purpose, one of the Swiss retailers based in Zurich , Switzerland , chose the Algerian market to sell the cars either complete, or as spare parts.

Thorough investigations revealed that a network including French customs specialized in contraband were clearing these cars 8000 euros each convincing the Swiss businessman that Algeria would be the last resort for these used cars.

Several custom officers and top managers have been dismissed for their involvement in this scandal at that time, but the main masterminds were out of reach.