Tunisian Ports and Airports Under Scrutiny: Brazilian, Tunisian and Italian Criminal Networks Implicated

A recent investigation has revealed a significant rise in drug trafficking and organized crime activity at Tunisia’s seaports and airports, with connections to criminal networks from Brazil, Tunisia, and Italy.

Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime Activity

Ecstasy, a popular drug in Europe, is being trafficked into Tunisia by European and Tunisian nationals.
Subutex, a semi-synthetic opioid, has become increasingly popular in the country, often smuggled in by Tunisian nationals.
The dynamic tourism industry provides a lucrative market for these drugs, with many tourists unaware of the illegal activities taking place in the country.

Criminal Networks and Corruption

Widespread corruption has been uncovered in Tunisia, with citizens regularly paying bribes to law enforcement officials, customs agents, and National Guard officers to facilitate or expedite services.
The country’s border regions with Algeria and Libya are hubs for various forms of trafficking, with networks often referred to as “entrepreneurs” rather than criminal organizations.
Human trafficking networks have also been identified, with speculative “samsaras” or brokers acting as intermediaries between families of minor girls from the North West of Tunisia and wealthy families seeking domestic helpers.

Lack of Political Will and Inadequate Governance

Despite ratifying major international treaties on organized crime, Tunisia lacks a national crime prevention policy, anti-crime strategy, or national crime prosecution policy.
The government has launched initiatives to combat corruption and contraband networks, but these have been criticized for using extra-judicial arrests and lacking efficiency.

Challenges in the Justice System

The justice system in Tunisia is overwhelmed by a heavy workload, with judges considered independent from political elites.
Prisons are seen as breeding grounds for organized crime, and competition between law enforcement agencies hinders effective investigations.

Economic and Financial Environment

Tunisia’s economy is still recovering from the 2011 revolution, with many communities economically marginalized.
The country heavily relies on the informal sector, particularly in border regions neighboring Algeria and Libya.
Efforts have been made to improve anti-money laundering measures, with Tunisia removed from a European blacklist in October 2019.

Civil society organizations are active in promoting crime prevention strategies and youth de-radicalization programs.
However, there is no tangible national crime prevention policy, and the media climate has worsened since the 2019 election.

The investigation highlights the need for Tunisia to strengthen its governance and law enforcement agencies to effectively combat organized crime and drug trafficking at its ports and airports.