Libyan government: "Assad" drugs enter Libya through "Haftar Ports"

Libyan Interior Minister Fathi Pashaga accused the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of smuggling drugs through Syria to several countries, including Libya, through the ports of the eastern region under the control of retired Major General Khalifa Haftar.

Pashaga said in a series of tweets via his Twitter account, that financial intelligence departments and drug control agencies are aware that the Assad regime is financing its activities by smuggling drugs across Syrian territory to many countries, including Libya, through the ports of the eastern region.

Haftar forces control this area among other areas, as the Libyan government, which is internationally recognized, is fighting for legitimacy and power in the oil-rich country.

Pashaga added that on April 12 last year, customs authorities in Port Said (northeastern Egypt) seized 4 tons of hashish on board a ship called Egy Crown coming from Syria, and heading to the port of Benghazi.

I attach a pashaga to his post with a link to a news story published by the Egyptian newspaper Al-Youm Al-Sabia on that day, which actually states that a container of 4 tons of hashish has been seized, hidden inside milk cans coming from Syria and heading to Libya.

He added that the Libyan National Accord government was in contact with the International Police (Interpol) in this regard.

He called on both the United Nations Security Council and the international community to work with his government to block the path to these activities.

Pashaga warned that failure to stop what he called tampering will exacerbate the damage and will lead to continued funding for terrorist organizations.

With the support of regional and European countries, Haftar forces have continued, since April 4, 2019, an attack to seize the capital, Tripoli (west), the seat of the Libyan government.

The International Criminal Court Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, said during a statement to the Security Council on Tuesday that the court is monitoring the Haftar attack on Tripoli, and is working to issue new warrants for the arrest of individuals in Libya, in light of the increase in violence and fighting in and around the capital.