Algeria detains 49 drug traffickers, seizes 43.5 kilos of cocaine

Algerian authorities have reported a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, arresting 49 individuals and seizing 43.5 kilograms of cocaine across the country over the last week. The Ministry of National Defense announced the operation, which also dismantled a major international drug ring using Algeria as its base.

In addition to the cocaine, the operation resulted in the confiscation of 440 kilograms of processed cannabis, which the ministry stated was prepared for smuggling across the border into Morocco. Authorities also seized nearly two million hallucinogenic pills. This bust follows a larger drug incineration in June, where nearly 18,000 kilograms of various drugs, including 1,000 kilograms of cocaine and heroin, were destroyed.

Algeria has been strengthening its legal framework to combat drug use, particularly in schools. A law adopted in July 2025 introduced the death penalty for drug trafficking occurring in educational, health, or public facilities.

The Ministry of Defense also reported on other security operations, including the arrest of over 300 people involved in illegal gold mining. During these arrests, mining equipment and raw gold minerals were seized. Furthermore, the Algerian coast guard reportedly thwarted several attempts at illegal migration, rescuing 223 individuals from makeshift boats.