Dismantling of drug trafficking ring stretching from Morocco to Tipaza

A research investigative unit of the National Gendarmerie of the coastal province of Tipaza has smashed a criminal ring specialized in widespread drug smuggling, with its nefarious activities extending from the central provinces of Tipaza, Blida, and Algiers and up to the Kingdom of Morocco, through the provinces of Tlemcen, Oran and Tissemsilt west of Algeria, led by a fugitive drug baron now wanted by Interpol.

According to the National Gendarmerie’s media cell spokesperson, Lieutenant Bouziane, the dismantling

operation of this criminal gang came after the arrest of a suspicious vehicle at the level of a security checkpoint near the locality of Douaouda.

The gendarmerie patrol manning the security roadblock swiftly proceeded to the thorough inspection of the intercepted car, which was driven by so-called “B.M.”, and this led to the discovery of a large quantity of drugs hidden tightly inside the vehicle.

And after handing over the case to a research investigative unit of the national gendarmerie of Tipaza province, the latter embarked upon its in-depth inquiry which resulted in identifying a second suspected drug smuggler identified as “A.M.” at a petrol gas station at the level of the town of El Affroun.

The latter was rounded up in possession of the amount of 60 million centimes (DA) accruing from the proceeds of drug trafficking.

The next phase of the investigation also led to the identification of the chieftain of this criminal ring who hails from the western city of Maghnia on the Algerian- Moroccan border and who used to spearhead the smuggling of large quantities of various drugs into Algeria from the Moroccan Kingdom.

The arrested ringleader of this extensive drug trafficking network had close relations with drug barons in Morocco itself, according to the findings of the security investigation.

The members of this criminal gang were all brought on Monday before the Public Prosecutor at the Court of Kolea, who put them in temporary detention awaiting trial.