Algerian police have dismantled a major drug trafficking network, seizing about 33 kilograms of cocaine and more than 10 million capsules of the psychotropic drug pregabalin, authorities said Thursday.
Police released video footage showing the seized drugs following an investigation that began in January and traced drug consignments from southern Algeria to several cities in the north.
According to authorities, the investigation uncovered an international trafficking network based in western Algeria, with links to drug dealers in Morocco and suspected accomplices operating from Dubai and France.
Twenty-five people have been arrested in connection with the operation, while another 25 suspects, including nationals of Algeria, Morocco and the Netherlands, remain at large.
Pregabalin is commonly prescribed to treat epilepsy and certain nerve-related conditions but can produce euphoric effects when misused. Its abuse has increased sharply in recent years, raising concerns among authorities.
Police said the investigation also identified trafficking links with Morocco as they continued efforts to dismantle the wider network.
The major seizure comes weeks after Spanish authorities announced the dismantling of a separate smuggling network operating between Spain and Algeria.
