Organized crime network involved in public funds embezzlement dismantled in Saoula, 10 arrested
via Algérie3602 min read
The Central Service for Combating Organized Crime of the National Security in Saoula has dismantled a vast organized crime network involved in the embezzlement and squandering of public funds. The case centers on "UTC," a company specializing in tobacco commercialization and distribution, and has resulted in an estimated financial loss of nearly 1,000 billion centimes. Ten individuals have been arrested in connection with this operation. The extensive investigation, which lasted over three months, uncovered a sophisticated modus operandi. This involved illegally selling tobacco products with the complicity of certain company employees. Products were registered in the computer system without being physically received by commercial branches, then sold on the parallel market through wholesalers. This scheme led to an unexplained deficit in product stocks, discovered during inventory operations and account reviews for the 2025 fiscal year. The commercial value of this shortfall is estimated at approximately 500 billion centimes, including taxes. Further investigations revealed a second financial anomaly of an equivalent amount, linked to unrecovered debts from company clients. These findings confirmed the criminal acts and identified responsibilities, leading to the arrest of ten suspects, including current and former senior executives, employees at various levels of responsibility, and other involved individuals and entities, including a wholesaler. The operation also led to the
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Five Algerian cities were ranked among the world's hottest on Friday, July 24, according to EldoradoWeather. Biskra registered the highest temperature globally at 49.4 °C, followed by Ouargla at 49.1 °C, and El Oued at 48.9 °C. Hassi Messaoud recorded 48.8 °C, and Touggourt reached 48.7 °C, completing the list of the top five hottest cities. This extreme heat is attributed to a "heat dome" phenomenon, where a high-pressure zone over North Africa traps hot air from the Sahara, preventing cloud formation and sea breezes. The National Meteorological Office ONM explained that this phenomenon has caused temperatures to reach up to 50 °C in some areas. The heatwave has also led to over 160 fires across the country, affecting more than half of the municipalities in certain wilayas, resulting in six deaths and the destruction of thousands of hectares of forests and agricultural land. The Minister of Interior stated that the majority of fires have been brought under control with the deployment of 18 aerial firefighting units, Civil Protection, and the National People's Army. The government is assessing damages to compensate victims, and judicial investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fires, some of which are suspected to be criminal. The high energy demand during this period also caused electricity outages in 16 wilayas. An easing of the heatwave is expected early next week with a drop in atmospheric pressure and the arrival of cooler north-westerly winds.
Must ReadThe US administration is set to implement new tariffs on imports from 60 trade partners, including Algeria, starting this Friday at 00:01 New York time. This move follows a revision of Washington's tariff policy after previous surtaxes were canceled by the US Supreme Court. According to an exclusive report by Asharq Business with Bloomberg, 11 Arab countries, including Algeria, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, and Morocco, will face a 12.5% customs duty on their affected exports to the US. Jordan is an exception among Arab nations, receiving a reduced rate of 10%. This new tariff policy is based on an investigation by US authorities into compliance with forced labor prevention standards. The assessment covered 60 US trade partners and forms the basis for the new customs system, aiming to adjust tariffs according to the investigation's findings and establish a legal framework consistent with recent court decisions. Exempted sectors include energy products fuels, foodstuffs, and fertilizers. However, specific regimes will continue for sectors like automotive, metals, and pharmaceuticals, which remain subject to separate investigations and duties. The immediate implementation of these new taxes aims to prevent any legal vacuum in the processing of US imports following judicial decisions that challenged previous tariff measures. Several countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, India, and Jordan, will benefit
Must ReadAlgerian authorities have exceptionally opened the Zouj Beghal border crossing to hand over a group of Moroccan nationals to Moroccan authorities. This operation involved 24 Moroccan citizens, including three women, who were attempting irregular migration. The transfer also included the remains of one Moroccan national. The Moroccan Association for Aid to Migrants in Difficult Situations reported these details and stated it is currently tracking over 500 cases related to irregular migration, including missing persons, detained individuals, and those awaiting repatriation. The association also noted that 138 people are currently in the process of repatriation. This humanitarian exchange highlights ongoing, albeit sporadic, cooperation between Algeria and Morocco on humanitarian issues, despite the diplomatic rupture and closed land borders between the two countries. Migrant advocacy organizations continue to call for accelerated repatriation procedures and clarification regarding the status of missing individuals.