Algerian police have successfully seized around 33kg of cocaine and over 10 million pregabalin capsules in a significant operation aimed at dismantling an international drug trafficking network. The police shared footage on Thursday displaying the outcome of the operation, which involved tracking the illegal movement of drugs from southern Algeria to various northern cities.
Authorities revealed that the investigation uncovered an international trafficking network primarily based in western Algeria. Initiated in January, the operation led investigators to suspect connections with drug dealers in Morocco, while other members of the network are thought to be operating out of Dubai and France.
So far, 25 suspects have been arrested, with 25 more, including individuals from Algeria, Morocco, and the Netherlands, still at large.
Beyond the cocaine, authorities recovered over 10 million pregabalin capsules. Pregabalin, often prescribed for conditions like epilepsy and nerve pain, is increasingly misused for its euphoric effects. This substantial seizure underscores the growing issues surrounding both pharmaceutical and traditional drug trafficking and misuse.
The investigation is ongoing as Algerian authorities strive to identify and capture the remaining suspects and fully uncover the network’s operations. This development closely follows the recent dismantling of another suspected trafficking network between Spain and Algeria, showcasing persistent efforts by law enforcement to disrupt drug trafficking routes across the Mediterranean.
