Twelve Algerian, Lybian and Malian smugglers were recently arrested by security services in the south, the ministry of National Defence said Tuesday in a statement.
"As part of ensuring security at borders as well as the fight against smuggling and organized crime, a detachment of border guards, under the operational area of In Amenas (4th military region), arrested on 10 November 2014 at 7:00 am, six (6) persons including one (1) Algerian and five (5) Libyans and, seized an all-terrain vehicle after an ambush conducted near the town of Tin Khrifane (province of Illizi)," the ministry said.
"In addition, units of the National Gendarmerie seized, after a patrol conducted on 9 November 2014 at 1:00 am at the 6th military region, near the borders in In Guezzam, two all-train vehicles, a tourist vehicle and a of foodstuffs for smuggling," the communiqué added.
"Units of the National Gendarmerie apprehended, on the same day at 4:00 pm at Timiaouine, under the operational area of Bordj Badji Mokhtar, three (3) Malian smugglers," the ministry stated.
"Besides, a detachment of the forces of the National people's army (ANP), under the operational area of Tamanrasset, arrested, on 10 November 2014 at 8:00 am, three (3) Algerian smugglers and seized a tourist vehicle as well as mobile phones and Thuraya satellite phones," the same source said.