Attempt of smuggling 60 quintals of drugs in southern Algeria

Border guards foiled an attempt to smuggle 60 quintals of drug on two Toyota Station cars coming from Morocco to Mauritanian borders across Tindouf in the Algerian south.

• The guards recovered a Kalashnikov while the smugglers run away on a third car to the borders.
• According to communication cell at the National Gendarmerie command, the border guards ambushed the three cars on Saturday’s night. The smugglers were surprised by shooting on the cars wheels and run away after throwing boxes full of drug.
• They found 5,739 kg of drug i.e about 60 quintals which is the largest drug seizure since the beginning of 2009.
• Earlier, border guards in the province of Bechar (south of Algiers) seized about six tons of drugs and recovered a quantity of weapons along with ammunition.
• This operation comes after border guards foiled an attempt of smuggling nine tons of drugs and recovered four Kalashnikovs along with 16 weapon stores.
• Two smugglers were arrested. One of them comes from Mali.
• Regional command at the National Gendarmerie in Bechar stepped up measures to counter drug smuggling.
• Authorities are tightening the noise on smuggling networks especially on the western and south-western borders.