Six international drug smugglers were killed in clashes with forces affiliated with the Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU).
According to a statement released by the Libyan Army’s 444th Combat Brigade, the Libyan forces set up an ambush in the desert, and arrested three smugglers. They also destroyed a convoy of several armed vehicles that were cutting off roads, and smuggling narcotics.
“After armed clashes, our forces were able to target all the vehicles and kill six foreign smugglers, and three others were arrested,” the statement said.
Two soldiers from the Libyan army were injured, during the clashes.
This operation is part of the military plan of the armed forces in the west, aimed at eliminating smugglers and their hideouts in the desert.
“We will continue to destroy all smuggling hideouts, arrest smugglers, and dismantle networks run by cross-border gangs,” the statement said.
“These criminal gangs aim to make money at the expense of drowning our youth in the swamps of drugs, and mind-altering substances,” it concluded.
Last month, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Libya successfully intercepted a large drug shipment from Benghazi to Misrata, and apprehended the drug dealer behind the operation.
This bust was conducted following intelligence received by the CID’s investigation and inference unit indicating that a consignment of cannabis was to be transported from Benghazi to Misrata. The source further confirmed the details about the vehicle type, colour, and other specifics, which was loaded onto a car carrier truck.
The investigators quickly moved to the truck’s expected departure point in the Sidi Farj area. However, further investigation revealed that the truck had already departed for its destination. After acquiring the driver’s name and phone number, who was also transporting other vehicles, the investigators made contact with the driver who demonstrated substantial cooperation.
Upon the investigators’ request, the unsuspecting driver stopped in the city of Sirte, and the investigative team proceeded there. During the inspection of the suspected vehicle, a large quantity of cannabis was discovered.
Following the seizure of the illicit shipment and the vehicle harboring it, the truck driver was transported to the CID headquarters and interrogated. During the inquiry, he provided the investigators with the name of the person who owned the car, in which the drugs were found.
During the interrogation, the suspect confessed that he was the one who placed the drugs in the car for delivery to Misrata. He also admitted that the drugs belonged to another individual, whose full name he disclosed. Current investigations are underway to apprehend this individual.
Furthermore, he also revealed the name of the person who supplied him with the drugs – a major person of interest to the CID, and other security agencies in Benghazi. He is currently believed to be hiding in the western region, after fleeing Benghazi to avoid capture.
