Algeria Charges 13 in Major Transnational Pregabalin Trafficking Case
By Dr. Hana Saada
Algeria’s specialised judicial pole at the Sidi M’Hamed Tribunal has placed 13 suspects in pre-trial detention in connection with a major transnational criminal network accused of trafficking nearly four million pregabalin capsules, authorities said on Saturday.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office said the case forms part of ongoing efforts to combat organised cross-border narcotics trafficking and psychotropic drug crimes. Investigators dismantled a network composed of 20 individuals, with 13 suspects arrested in flagrante delicto while seven others remain at large after being fully identified by authorities.
Security services seized approximately 3.98 million pregabalin 300mg capsules during the operation, conducted by the Central Office for Combating Illicit Drug Trafficking under the National Police.
Following their appearance before prosecutors on May 10, the suspects were formally referred for judicial investigation on charges including possession, transport, storage, shipment and importation of psychotropic substances for trafficking purposes within an organised transnational criminal group, aggravated smuggling threatening public security and health, money laundering, forgery and the use of forged documents, as well as operating vehicles non-compliant with technical regulations.
After interrogation by the investigating judge, all 13 defendants were remanded in custody pending further proceedings.
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