5 tons of drugs seized in Algiers

The Algerian national police (gendarmerie) seized Sunday at the port of Algiers about 5 tons of cannabis in containers, said Tuesday the Algerian public radio.

•     It is the largest quantity of drugs seized by Algerian authorities so far in the capital.
  
      Drugs, from Morocco and hidden in three containers for the transport of fruit and vegetables, should be sent to foreign countries, according to police, quoted by Radio Channel III.
  
      The police have discovered in the wake of reports of the presence at the port of Algiers refrigerating containers containing drugs intended for export.
  
      No arrests have been made during the seizure but the police continue their investigations to determine the identity of the source of traffic, said the same source.
  
      Due to the quantity of drugs seized, the police estimated that a significant international network to be involved.
  
      The Algerian police in late March had indicated that seizures of cannabis in Algeria had exceeded 15 tonnes in the first quarter of 2009 and could reach 60 tonnes at the end of 2009.
  
      Over 38 tonnes of cannabis were seized in Algeria in 2008 against four tonnes in 2007, according to official figures.
  
      Algeria, which was a transit country for drugs, has now become a country of fixation for drug traffickers, according to the Algerian gendarmerie.
  
      
  Ennaharonline / AFP