Libya’s security forces have seized five tonnes of hashish and dismantled a criminal network involved in drug trafficking in the outskirts of Taknes, Green Mountain, around 127 km east of Benghazi.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Libyan authorities confirmed that the operation was conducted at dawn on Saturday, following direct instructions from Lieutenant General Saddam Haftar, who oversees anti-narcotics operations.
The raid, coordinated with the 682nd Battalion of the Libyan National Army (LNA), marks the first of its kind in the Green Mountain region targeting large-scale drug cultivation and production.
Authorities revealed that the network was engaged in both the cultivation and processing of hashish in remote areas near Taknes. Several suspects were arrested during the raid, and investigations are underway to trace other members of the trafficking chain.
The operation comes amid increased efforts by Libyan security forces to combat drug smuggling and organised crime. In April, the Criminal Investigation Department in Benghazi intercepted 34 kilogrammes of hashish during an attempt to smuggle the drugs from Saluq to Benghazi. Similarly, in March 2024, the Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Directorate seized 128 kilogrammes of raw cocaine in one of the country’s largest drug busts.
Officials emphasised that these operations highlight the growing threat of drug trafficking networks operating across Libya, exploiting instability and difficult terrain. The authorities pledged to intensify operations and maintain close coordination with LNA units to prevent the spread of narcotics.
The latest seizure underscores Libya’s ongoing battle against illegal drugs, which security officials warn are being trafficked through the country as part of larger regional and international smuggling routes.
