A major Libya drug seizure has uncovered around 100,000 ecstasy pills shaped like former leader Muammar Gaddafi.
The drugs arrived in Libya by sea.
According to security officials, the shipment came through a European country.
Authorities intercepted the drugs and sent several suspects to prosecutors.
Libya drug seizure uncovers 100,000 pills
Reuters reported that the pills were shaped like Gaddafi’s head and shoulders.
They also showed details of his face and clothing.
A security agency in Tripoli released images of the pills.
Meanwhile, Al Rada for Combating Terrorism and Organized Crime provided details about the operation.
The agency said officers first received information about a planned drug shipment.
They then tracked the shipment as it travelled by sea.
Finally, officers intercepted it after it reached Libya.
The pills were hidden inside a cargo van.
Authorities said they found around 100,000 XTC, or ecstasy, pills.
However, officials did not name the European country involved.
They also did not identify the Libyan port.
Several suspects were referred to prosecutors.
Drug trafficking remains a challenge
The Libya drug seizure comes amid wider concerns about drug trafficking in the country.
According to a United Nations report, Libya has become an important transit point for synthetic drugs and other narcotics.
Some drugs are sold inside Libya.
Others travel through the country towards markets elsewhere in North Africa and the wider continent.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime also linked the growth of trafficking networks to Libya’s instability since 2011.
Libya remains politically divided
Libya has faced political divisions for years.
The UN-recognised Government of National Unity is based in western Libya.
Meanwhile, authorities aligned with military commander Khalifa Haftar control the east and much of the south.
Therefore, security authorities continue to face challenges in tackling trafficking networks.
The latest Libya drug seizure highlights the scale of the problem.