Algeria’s Central Service for Combating Organized Crime dismantled a drug-trafficking criminal network during the previous week.[1] Officers arrested 11 network members, including two women.[1] All of those arrested were brought before the public prosecutor at the specialized penal pole at the Sidi M’hamed court.[1] The acting unit was the Saoula-based Central Service for Combating Organized Crime, reporting through the General Directorate of National Security.[2]

The operation seized 69.45 kg of processed kif (kif traité) originating in Morocco.[2] The network brought Moroccan kif into Algerian territory.[1] It then moved the drugs from the western wilayas toward the central wilayas of the country.[1] Officers intercepted a 4x4 on the road linking Saïda and Aïn Sefra, a commune in Naâma Province.[1] The two people aboard were arrested and the drugs hidden in the vehicle were seized.[2] Investigators then arrested nine more suspects and seized four vehicles along with 404 million centimes.[1]

The operation followed intensive investigations in which SCLO investigators identified the trafficking network.[1] Investigators said the network specialized in transporting and illicitly trafficking drugs arriving from Morocco from the western wilayas to the central ones.[2]