On Sunday, the Attorney General’s Office announced the arrest of foreigners engaged in unauthorized gold mining in southern Libya, after entering the country illegally.
According to a statement, a judicial enforcement officer in the Libyan intelligence agency observed four foreigners entering the country, with the intention of illegally mining gold.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that a Libyan national was involved, and assisted the foreigners from Niger, Chad, and China.
The Libyan suspect was assigned to prospect for gold in four surface basins in southern Libya, without official authorization.
The statement added that the remaining suspects were tasked with transporting the extracted materials for processing and refining.
The investigator concluded by detaining five suspects.
Last month, 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.
Earlier in November, 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.