A security operation at a farm in Oulad Fayet, near the junction known as “America Bridge,” led to the seizure of 113.55 kilograms of cocaine and 225,030 capsules of 300 mg pregabalin. The drugs were concealed in the trailer of a tractor-truck, according to evidence presented before the Dar El Beïda Court of First Instance for Criminal Matters.
The investigation began on September 10, 2025, after information emerged about a network transporting drugs and psychotropic substances from the south of the country to northern cities. Investigators identified Noria Saber, known as “Tbib,” and Salem Lamine, nicknamed “Kabiro,” among the alleged leaders. Security services tracked the truck from M’Sila through several provinces before it reached the farm in Oulad Fayet on September 12.
According to the investigation, the farm was used to conceal the shipment. Several suspects watched the area and helped remove packages from a concealed compartment in the trailer. Security forces raided the site and arrested suspects. They also seized 120 tablets of the medicine “Ketyl” and 67 pregabalin capsules from one person, along with 12,212,500 dinars in one vehicle and 108,000 dinars in another.
Sixteen defendants, including Algerians and foreign nationals, stood trial in a case involving the unlawful import, transport, storage and possession of drugs and psychotropic substances for sale as part of a transnational organized criminal group. The charges also included aggravated smuggling and money laundering. The prosecutor sought the death penalty for all defendants, while the Treasury’s representative requested one million dinars in compensation from each accused person.
After deliberations, the court imposed the death penalty on several defendants: three who were present and six tried in absentia. The remaining defendants received prison terms of between 7 and 20 years. According to the case proceedings, this was the first death sentence handed down under Law 25-03 on preventing drug and psychotropic-substance offences and combating their illicit use and trafficking.