brder police at Algiers’ Houari Boumediene International Airport have foiled a large-scale currency smuggling operation, seizing more than €136,000 and uncovering significant quantities of illegally imported goods, according to an official statement released on Monday.
The operation, carried out by the Police aux Frontières (PAF) in coordination with customs authorities, led to the arrest of two women attempting to board a flight to Istanbul, Turkey. Investigators found €120,400 and $1,880 hidden in their luggage and clothing. Authorities say the pair were attempting to transport the cash illicitly out of the country.
Further investigations by the judicial police unit attached to the PAF revealed that the women were members of a “criminal network specialized in the illicit transfer of funds, money laundering, and the unauthorized importation of foreign-origin goods.”
Searches conducted at their homes and two warehouses operated by members of the group—under the supervision of the local public prosecutor—resulted in the arrest of four additional suspects. Authorities also seized more than 5,000 units of contraband merchandise, including cosmetics, automobile spare parts, clothing, and food products, all imported without authorization.
In addition to the foreign currency seized at the airport, officers recovered €16,200 in cash and approximately 15.8 million Algerian dinars (around 158 million centimes) believed to be proceeds from the group’s illicit activities.
The six suspects have been referred to the public prosecutor at the Dar El Beida court for prosecution, the statement concluded.
The bust underscores Algerian authorities’ intensified crackdown on financial crimes and smuggling networks, particularly those threatening the national economy through illegal capital flight and unregulated imports.
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