ضبط ترسانة أسلحة.. الجيش المصري يحبط مخططاً إرهابياً على الحدود الجنوبية

The Egyptian Armed Forces dealt a significant blow to one of the transnational organized crime networks on the southern borders of the country.

Transnational Organized Crime Networks

The military spokesperson announced in an official statement today (Tuesday) that the Egyptian Armed Forces managed to thwart the activities of one of the transnational organized crime networks involved in the smuggling and sale of weapons and ammunition through the southern strategic direction, after receiving confirmed information indicating that this network intended to smuggle quantities of weapons and ammunition across the southern borders of the country.

The statement added that the smuggling of these weapons was aimed at promoting and selling them in the depths of Egyptian governorates, and supplying criminal elements involved in illegal gold mining within Egyptian borders.

Shipments of Weapons and Ammunition

The military spokesperson further stated that upon receiving this information, orders were issued to intensify monitoring and security operations by the Armed Forces to pursue the elements of this network, which resulted in the thwarting of two smuggling operations for a shipment of weapons and ammunition in the desert hinterland of Aswan Governorate, and the seizure of 34 different types of weapons, along with a quantity of ammunition totaling 49,211 rounds of various calibers. The seized items included 14 RPG rounds, 28 RPG propellant charges, a Toyota Hilux vehicle, as well as a number of identification documents belonging to some foreign elements.

He confirmed that the pursuit of the remaining members of this network is currently underway, in preparation for their apprehension and the implementation of stringent legal measures against them.

He emphasized the complete security control over all strategic borders of the state, and the firm response against anyone who dares to threaten Egyptian national security.

Threat to Egyptian National Security

Last June, the Egyptian army launched a campaign against criminal networks in the south of the country in cooperation with elements of the Ministry of Interior, confirming that these networks pose a direct threat to Egyptian national security, in addition to their severe negative impacts on economic stability, the investment climate, and the sustainable development efforts sought by the state.

The army stated in a statement at that time: “A large-scale military and security campaign was carried out in the southern military region against a number of criminal hotspots exploited by lawless networks to engage in illegal activities including drug trafficking, arms dealing, illegal gold mining, and illegal immigration, which represent a direct threat to national security.”

100,000 Intruders

The extensive and successful raid operations resulted in a massive haul of seizures and the arrest of involved individuals, as 223 individuals were apprehended for their involvement in these illegal activities, including 87 Egyptians and 136 individuals of various foreign nationalities. Additionally, 14 vehicles of different types, advanced wireless communication devices, and amounts of money in Egyptian pounds and foreign currencies were seized, along with large quantities of unlicensed weapons and ammunition, and a vast number of equipment and devices used in illegal and random mining operations.

The Egyptian army reported the apprehension of a large number of individuals attempting to illegally cross the southern borders of the country, nearing 100,000 people. All individuals and seized items were immediately referred to the relevant judicial authorities to take all legal actions against them in accordance with international treaties and standards of international humanitarian law.