ALGIERS
Algerian army forces on Tuesday arrested 19 alleged African smugglers, taking the total number of people detained for trafficking charges in the past three days to 163, the Defense Ministry has said.
"The National People's Army… in coordination with members of the National Gendarmerie (police) arrested 19 smugglers from different African nationalities," the ministry said in a statement on its website
"They also seized a vehicle and funds worth 166.900 Algerian dinars (around $1,700) and four satellite phones, among other objects," the ministry added.
The operation comes just one day after the ministry announced the arrest of 121 smugglers from different African nationalities and the seizure of six cars, six motorcycles and 2680 liters of fuel during an army operation on Sunday in the areas In Amguel, Bordj Badji Mokhtar and In Guezzam, which border Mali and Niger.
The ministry also announced on Saturday that army forces had apprehended 23 African smugglers and seized two pistols, ammunition, four vehicles, a motorcycle and 1,330 kg of food.
Algeria's southern border has been subject to constant smuggling activity of food and fuel from Algeria to neighboring African countries such as Mali and Niger given that their prices are subsidized by the Algerian government.
Algeria has mobilized tens of thousands of troops in recent months at borders with Libya, Mali, Niger and Tunisia to prevent the infiltration of jihadists and the smuggling of weapons, foods and fuel.
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