Ten traffickers of different nationalities were arrested Friday during a reconnaissance patrol conducted by elements of the Popular National Army (ANP) under the operational sector of In Guezzam at Hassi Tiririne, said Saturday the National Defence Ministry said in a statement.
"As part of the fight against smuggling and organized crime, and thanks to the good use of information, a detachment of the combined army forces under the operational sector of In Guezzam/6th Military Region, has arrested, on Friday July 4 a group of traffickers of different nationalities in Hassi Tiririne and recovered war material and three vehicles," the source said.
"The operation, which took place following a reconnaissance patrol led by soldiers, has resulted first in the arrest of four Algerian traffickers, which were aboard two vehicles," added the ministry.
"During the sweep of the area, the Army members chased an all-terrain vehicle and have arrested the six other traffickers; four Sudanese and two Chadian, and recovered a Kalashnikov automatic rifle and a quantity of ammunition, "the statement said.