Libya’s Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances has announced an intensification of patrols along the border with Algeria to combat cross-border crimes, including drug trafficking and irregular migration.
According to a statement posted on the agency’s Facebook page, a large-scale patrol operation was launched, involving elements from the “680th Battalion” of the “Enhanced 128th Brigade”, the General Administration of Central Support branch in Ghat, and the Internal Security Agency.
The operations included a comprehensive sweep of all routes along the Algerian border, with the aim of thwarting any smuggling attempts and ensuring the safety of the nation and citizens.
This comes after three soldiers from the 444th Combat Brigade, affiliated with the Libyan Army’s General Staff in Tripoli, were killed in clashes with smugglers and drug traffickers in the Libyan desert on Tuesday.
The Brigade said it had successfully dealt a “devastating blow” to major drug trafficking lines. It added that it has managed to seize approximately 5 million narcotic pills that were purportedly destined for the capital, Tripoli, where they would have likely reached the city’s youth. This successful interception prevented a massive quantity of drugs from flooding into Tripoli, averting potential widespread harm among the local population.
However, the fierce confrontation with the traffickers resulted in the deaths of soldiers Hamza Ali Al-Fitouri, Thabit Ibrahim Mohamed Sidi, and Habib Ali.
The Libyan authorities have been grappling with the challenge of cross-border criminal activities, particularly drug trafficking and irregular migration, which have exacerbated the country’s security and humanitarian issues.
This incident not only reflects the ongoing battle against smuggling and organized crime in the region but also highlights the geopolitical challenges faced by Libya. The country has been a nexus of instability and conflict since the 2011 uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi. Since then, Libya has struggled with internal divisions and a lack of central authority, conditions that have allowed smuggling and human trafficking networks to thrive.
The strategic significance of Libya’s vast, porous borders makes it a frequent path for smugglers transporting drugs, weapons, and migrants across the Sahara towards Mediterranean crossings.
