Discovery of secret tunnel fuels Algerian accusations against Morocco as Parliament debates harsh anti-drug laws, including the possible return of capital punishment.
Watan-Algerian state television has reported the discovery of a secret tunnel stretching from Moroccan territory to the Bab El Assa border region in Tlemcen province, western Algeria. The tunnel is allegedly used for smuggling cannabis (“hashish”). The revelation comes as the Algerian parliament debates a new law to combat the drug scourge—one that could include reactivating the 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.
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