Libyan Anti-Smuggling and Drugs Department managed to seize a large number of narcotic pills, imported through the seaport of Al-Khums, northwest of the country. The quantity is estimated at 1.65 million anaesthetic tablets, according to the Libyan News Agency (LANA).
The official Spokesman for the Libyan Customs Authority, Lt. Col. Fahmy Hussein Al-Magouri said in a press statement that this operation was “in direct coordination between the Anti-Smuggling and Drugs Department, and the Al-Khums Sea Port Customs.” He pointed out that they also confiscated 4,975 vials of spoiled medical solutions.
Al-Magouri noted that the necessary legal measures were taken, including a report to gather evidence, and notify the prosecution. The Public Prosecution office ordered the destruction of the seized drugs.
Last week, the Tunisian Ministry of National Defense said that naval units managed to thwart an operation to smuggle medicines across the sea to Libya, according to “Mosaique FM” newspaper.
Suspicious movements of an unknown boat were monitored by the Tunisian naval forces. The boat approached the coast of Al-Jadaira, and then carton boxes began to be loaded from a car onto the boat.
The Tunisian forces arrested two people who were on a fishing boat, loaded with a number of various medicines. The men threw several other boxes into the sea, upon realizing the arrival of the naval units. The two smugglers were transferred to the Tunisian Public Prosecution, pending the legal procedures.
In July, Libyan authorities thwarted an attempt to smuggle 7.5 million narcotic tablets on board a container ship, docked at the port of Benghazi. The Attorney General’s Office said that its staff received a report by the General Department for Combating Smuggling and Drugs regarding the cruise No. (YG223A).
“After an inspection of the vessel, 7.5 million prohibited pregabalin tablets were found,” the Office said in a statement. The Attorney General directed the Public Prosecutor to begin a case against those responsible, in cooperation with the security authorities. “The illicit trafficking of narcotics, and psychotropic substances and chemicals poses a serious threat to Libyan society,” the statement concluded.
