Counterterrorism, fight against organized crime (March 22-28): Distinct operations with qualitative results- Full communiqué

By: Hana Saada

ALGIERS– Several operations were carried out, in the past week (March 22-28, 2023), by detachments and units of the People’s National Army, as part of their noble missions to defend and secure the national territory against all forms of threats, demonstrating the unwavering and unfailing commitment of the Armed Forces to maintain peace and security in the country, said the Ministry of National Defense in a statement.

As part of the fight against terrorism, combined detachments of the People’s National Army “arrested 5 elements supporting terrorist groups in separate operations carried out across the national territory, while one (01) cache containing 5 bombs was discovered and destroyed following a search and combing operation in Tizi Ouzou’.

“As part of the fight against organized crime and in continuity with the sustained efforts aimed at countering the scourge of drug trafficking in our country, combined detachments of the ANP arrested, in coordination with the various security services during operations carried out through the Military Regions, 41 drug traffickers and foiled attempts to introduce huge quantities of drugs from the borders with Morocco, amounting to 18 quintals and 76 kilograms of treated Hashish, and seized 63,730 psychotropic tablets,” noted the same source.

In Tamanrasset, Bordj Badji Mokhtar and In Guezzam, detachments of the ANP “intercepted 87 individuals and seized 33 vehicles, 84 generators, 46 jackhammers, two (2) metal detectors, two (2) tons of mixture of ‘raw gold and stones, as well as quantities of explosives, detonation tools and equipment used in illicit gold panning operations,’ further detailed the same source.

“Eighteen (18) other individuals were arrested, and two (2) shotguns, quantities of foodstuffs intended for smuggling and speculation amounting to 367 tons, 17 quintals of tobacco and 72,000 units of different pyrotechnic articles were seized during separate operations across the national territory”.

During the same period, the Border Guards “thwarted, in coordination with the National Gendarmerie and Customs services, attempts to smuggle large quantities of fuel amounting to 147,485 liters in Bordj Badji Mokhtar, Souk Ahras, El -Tarf and Tebessa”.

In addition, the Coast Guard “thwarted, at the level of our national coasts, attempts of  illegal emigration and rescued 177 individuals on board craft-made boats, while 928 illegal immigrants of different nationalities were arrested throughout the national territory”.