By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
Djibouti, 3 June 2026 - Djibouti’s National Gendarmerie said on Tuesday it arrested 11 people suspected of involvement in drug trafficking and extortion during an operation in the Balbala.
The operation, named “Red Line”, was carried out over the Eid weekend as part of a national campaign against crime, the gendarmerie said in a statement.
The force said the operation followed an investigation by its Research and Documentation Section and targeted a suspected criminal organisation operating mainly in Balbala.
Several units took part in the operation, including territorial brigades in Djibouti city, the mobile gendarmerie, a canine unit, gendarmerie health services and a drone operator.
The gendarmerie said simultaneous raids were conducted at several sites, leading to the arrest of 11 suspects accused of involvement in narcotics trafficking and extortion.
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Authorities said searches led to the seizure of eight portions of cannabis, several bladed weapons more than 400,000 Djiboutian francs in cash - about $2,250 - a motorcycle allegedly used to deliver narcotics, and several stolen mobile phones.
Investigators specialising in digital investigations also identified and seized cryptocurrency assets allegedly held by the suspected leader of the network, the statement said.
The gendarmerie said further investigations led to the arrest of several people suspected of receiving stolen property.
All were referred to court and sent to Gabode civil prison, according to the statement.