Algerian TV Reveals Secret Hashish Smuggling Tunnel from Morocco as Justice Minister Considers Death Penalty for Traffickers

According to state media citing “reliable sources,” the tunnel lies at a significant depth underground and is believed to have been used recently to smuggle large quantities of processed cannabis. The report described the drug as a “weapon” used by Moroccan authorities to undermine Algeria’s stability and was accompanied by images of the underground passage.

This development comes just months after a similar tunnel was uncovered in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, where Moroccan-Spanish networks used it for human and drug trafficking. In light of these revelations, Algerian television stated that the country has raised its alert level along its border with Morocco, which it described as a hotspot for “white and black poison” trafficking, in addition to frequent infiltration attempts and provocations.

Justice Minister Vows Zero Tolerance

In a recent parliamentary session, Algerian Justice Minister Lotfi Boujemaa emphasized the state’s resolve to wage an unrelenting war against drug gangs, relying on the commitment of its security and military forces. Addressing lawmakers’ concerns over the draft anti-drug law, the minister said, “This is a war on Algeria, and we will confront it with the full force of our security institutions,” promising that “the sword of justice will fall on these criminal networks.”

He explained that the urgency in amending the current narcotics legislation stems from the escalating severity of the drug problem, which demands a robust deterrent response. He cited the massive seizure of narcotic pills across the country as justification for the legal changes.

Death Penalty Back on the Table

Regarding the reinstatement of capital punishment, Boujemaa stated that Algeria, as a sovereign state, “has the right to take whatever decisions it deems necessary to combat crime.” Given the gravity of the drug situation, the government is considering reactivating the death penalty—a sentence still present in Algerian law but suspended since 1993.

The draft law also introduces mandatory drug screening for job applicants, a measure the minister said is intended to “assist individuals in case of positive results” and will be supported by regulations detailing implementation. He added that every Algerian province has addiction treatment centers, with four more modern rehabilitation facilities under development.

Financial Incentives for Whistleblowers

A notable provision in the proposed law is the introduction of financial rewards for individuals who report actionable drug-related information—an initiative the minister described as unprecedented in the Arab world. He clarified that compensation will only be given for tips that lead to successful outcomes, warning that false accusations will carry full legal responsibility.

The justice minister also warned against promoting drug use through any medium, including music or media, reaffirming that incitement to commit any crime is punishable by law.

2024 Drug Seizure Statistics

According to Algeria’s National Gendarmerie, security forces seized 26.7 tons of processed cannabis, 147.8 kg of cocaine, and nearly 10 million tablets of psychoactive substances in 2024.

Colonel Tarek Toualbia from the Gendarmerie’s Criminal Investigation Department noted that cannabis seizures dropped by 10% compared to 2023, while psychoactive substances declined by 0.5%. Cocaine seizures, however, spiked by 152%.

Most of the cannabis seizures occurred in Algeria’s western regions. During the same period, authorities dismantled 82 drug trafficking networks and 110 psychoactive substance trafficking groups.