On Sunday, the Interior Ministry in the Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU) announced the second phase of securing the borders.
The ministry highlighted the deployment of desert patrols in the Al-Hamada Al-Hamra area, notorious for smuggling, as part of the security plan.
The security patrols established surprise positions along the road connecting Al-Quriyat, Tibuk, and Draj.
On 6 September, Interior Minister, Emad Al-Tarabulsi, unveiled the installation of day and night surveillance cameras, and the deployment of forces along the borders with Tunisia. This is part of the ministry’s strategy to address the issue of illegal migration.
Last week, Libya’s Anti-Drug and Psychotropic Substance Agency announced the successful prevention of a significant attempt to smuggle cannabis, across the border from Tunisia.
The operation took place in Nalut, west of the country, with the cooperation of the Stability Support Apparatus (SSA)
The agency revealed that approximately 800 pieces of cannabis were seized, near the Tunisian border. The operation, authorized by the Attorney General’s Office followed intelligence received by the agency.
In June, Tunisian customs authorities at the Ras Jedir border crossing successfully managed to thwart an attempt to smuggle foreign currency, valued at 2.4 million Tunisian dinars.
In a statement, the General Administration of Customs said that “this comes as part of efforts to stop the smuggling of money on the southeastern border with Libya.”
It added that a customs guard patrol was able to thwart the attempt to smuggle €525,000 Euros and $213,000 US Dollars. These were hidden in a car with a foreign license plate, in the Chichma region in Medenine. The total value of the seized money was estimated at 2.4 million dinars.