Libya seizes nearly $1 million of hashish in east

Libya’s eastern-based authorities have seized about 400 kg of hashish worth around ​6 million dinars ($934,000) and arrested some suspects ‌near the coastal city of Tobruk, officials said.

Libya has become a major drug transit route as gangs exploit ​the turmoil and conflict since 2011 ​when former ruler Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in ⁠a NATO-backed uprising.

The anti-drugs agency’s information and ​documentation officer, Ahmed al-Mismari, told Reuters that Saturday’s ​operation took place at a house in an agricultural area southeast of the city.

“The preliminary investigations revealed the ​shipment had been smuggled across the border with ​Egypt and was intended for local marketing and distribution within ‌the ⁠Libyan market,” Mismari said.

The detainees, whose number was not confirmed, were from Libya and Egypt.

Pictures posted by the agency showed a large quantity ​of hashish ​wrapped in ⁠gold and black patterned packages marked with symbols including a horse and ​the year 2026.

Also on Saturday, a ​Libyan ⁠National Army brigade seized more than 1.3 million narcotic pills after a firefight with smugglers in ⁠the southeastern ​town of Kufra. Three ​soldiers were injured, according to an army statement.

Source:  Reuters