Algerian Army Foils Smuggling of Over 3 Quintals of Cannabis Across Borders with Morocco
Attempts to smuggle over three quintals of cannabis resin across the borders with Morocco were thwarted, and 40 drug traffickers were arrested during operations carried out by detachments of the People’s National Army (PNA), in coordination with various security services, on 8-13 January, according to an operational report issued by the PNA on Wednesday.
“In line with sustained efforts in the fight against terrorism and multifaceted organized crime, units and detachments of the People’s National Army carried out several operations between 8 – 13 January 2026, yielding significant results that reflect the high professionalism, vigilance, and constant readiness of our Armed Forces across the entire national territory,” the source stated.
As regards counterterrorism, “PNA detachments arrested five terrorist supporters in various operations across the national territory.” As part of the fight against organized crime and “in continuation of efforts to combat the scourge of drug trafficking in our country, combined detachments of the PNA, in coordination with various security services, intercepted 40 drug traffickers and thwarted attempts to smuggle three quintals and four kilograms of cannabis resin across the borders with Morocco during operations carried out across the Military Regions. They also seized 34.7 kilograms of cocaine and 222,218 psychotropic tablets.” “In Tamanrasset, Bordj Badji Mokhtar, and Illizi, detachments of the PNA arrested 200 individuals and seized 36 vehicles, 132 generators, 107 jackhammers, as well as quantities of raw gold and stones and equipment used in illegal gold-mining operations,” according to the report.
Similarly, “12 other individuals were apprehended, and one FMPK-type light machine gun, three Kalashnikov-type submachine guns, four hunting rifles, and 33,050 liters of fuel intended for smuggling were seized during separate operations.” Moreover, “the Coastguards thwarted attempts at irregular migration along the national coasts and rescued 71 individuals aboard makeshift boats, while 205 irregular migrants of various nationalities were arrested across the national territory,” concluded the PNA report.
