The Central Service for Combating Illegal Trafficking in Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (SCLTISSP) recently announced the successful dismantling of an organized international criminal network, resulting in the seizure of millions of pills and kilograms of cocaine. This significant operation, a culmination of extensive intelligence work, yielded a staggering 10,400,000 Pregabalin capsules and 33 kg and 400 grams of cocaine. Following their apprehension, suspects linked to the network were formally presented before the Public Prosecutor at the Sidi M'hamed specialized penal pole in Algiers on August 20, 2026, marking a critical step in the judicial process.
Network Operations and Scope
The dismantled network demonstrated a sophisticated and wide-reaching operational structure, primarily operating from Morocco. Its key elements and illicit activities extended significantly to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and into France, noting its considerable international footprint. According to authorities, Moroccan drug barons and their accomplices, identified as fugitives from Algerian justice, were reportedly managing the intricate operations from their base, orchestrating the trafficking and distribution of narcotics across these territories. The extensive intelligence work that ultimately led to the operation's success commenced in January of the current year. This initial intelligence gathering laid the key groundwork for the subsequent investigation, allowing authorities to meticulously track the network's activities and plan the coordinated action against this international criminal organization. The network's broad reach across multiple countries unmistakably showed the transnational nature and complexity of its illicit activities.
Arrests and Seizures
The full crackdown involved meticulously planned simultaneous arrests carried out across several Algerian wilayas, showcasing the coordinated effort of law enforcement agencies. These arrests took place in key regions including Oran, Tizi Ouzou, Algiers, Blida, and Tipaza. Authorities successfully detained a total of 25 individuals in connection with the sophisticated network, reflecting the breadth of the operation. Among those apprehended were one woman and one foreign national, indicating the diverse composition of the criminal enterprise. Beyond the human element, the operation also resulted in substantial material seizures. Investigators confiscated 19 vehicles, which notably included a large tanker truck and three motorcycles, assets likely used in the network's logistical operations. A significant sum exceeding 1.5 billion centimes in national currency was seized, identified by authorities as direct proceeds from the extensive criminal activities of the network.
Financial and Material Value
The total market value of the items seized during this extensive operation is estimated at an staggering approximate figure of 1,000 billion centimes. This substantial valuation encompasses the 10,400,000 Pregabalin capsules, a highly sought-after psychotropic substance, and the 33 kg and 400 grams of cocaine, a potent and valuable illicit drug, both confiscated by authorities. The financial impact of the dismantled network extends significantly beyond the illicit drugs themselves, as investigators also successfully seized over 1.5 billion centimes in national currency. This considerable sum was meticulously identified as direct proceeds generated from the various criminal activities undertaken by the network, illustrating the immense profitability of their illicit trade. Additionally, the impoundment of 19 vehicles, which included a tanker truck and three motorcycles, further contributed to the overall financial and material scope of the international drug network's illicit operations, representing assets used to facilitate their criminal enterprise. The scale of these seizures shows the severity of the criminal enterprise and the success of the SCLTISSP's intervention.