Moroccan dangerously infected sheep smuggled to Algerian markets

Services of the border guards seized, on the eve of Aid al-Adha, more than 3000 sheep with black spots on their noses and heads, which have nothing to do with the Algerian strain.

Their slaughter and consumption are considered a threat to public health, as they have been smuggled from Morocco to Algeria to be marketed with amounts ranging between 5000 and 8000 ZDZ.

Official sources from the leadership of the National Gendarmerie’s told Echorouk, said the operation came following the instructions of Major General, Ahmed Boustila, Commander of the National Gendarmerie, regarding the fight against smuggling, as border guards seized since 10 days ago thousands of sheep that were smuggled from Morocco to Algeria, in Bayad, Naama and Telemcen (western Algeria).

Traffickers have tried to market them to Algeria despite the danger on Algerian citizens’ health.

Echorouk sources added that the seized sheep do not have similarities with the Algerian sheep, since they carry black spots on their noses and heads, and parts of their body. 

Medical tests said they carry serious diseases which may damage meat consumers, since this sheep have not been processed by loyalists because of the high cost, and therefore they resort to sell them, and get rid of them with low prices in markets of sheep in the Moroccan regions that are located on the Algerian borders, and sold them in wholesale to Moroccan smugglers for marketing and passing them to Algeria.

Seized sheep were offered for sale between 5000 and 8000 ZDZ, at a time the price of one Algerian sheep reached 50.000 ZDZ. A price that was planned by Moroccans in order to get rid of ill sheep and encourage smuggling and increase demand in Algeria, especially since their prices on the eve of Aid al-Adha will reach high levels.

In the same context Maj.Gen Boustila gave instructions to all units, in particular the border guard teams to tighten control over the border strip.