Under the leadership of President Abdelmajid Tebboune, Algeria’s High Security Council announced on September 2 that it would convert a barracks of the National People's Army in the Sahara Desert into a high-security prison for drug traffickers. The facility is located in the Tanezrouft region, near Bordj Badji Mokhtar, in the extreme south of the country. This area is remote, nearly 400 kilometers from the nearest major city, and known for extreme heat, with temperatures often surpassing 50 degrees Celsius. The decision comes amid growing concerns about drug trafficking across Algeria’s borders. The move is seen as a strong response to the increasing flow of drugs and psychotropic substances through the region. Authorities say the new prison, situated in the heart of the Sahara, could serve as a long-term deterrent against organized crime and large-scale trafficking. Reports suggest that Algeria is drawing inspiration from countries like El Salvador and the United States, particularly the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in shaping its new anti-drug strategy. The government also announced the creation of a specialized security agency to combat drug trafficking, modeled after the DEA. Algeria has been grappling with a surge in drug trafficking, particularly from its eastern and southern borders. Recently, authorities intercepted one of the largest drug seizures in the country’s history—10.4 million capsules of pregabalin and 33.4 kilograms of cocaine, valued at an estimated $70 million. This highlights the scale of the challenge faced by Algerian security forces and the government’s determination to crack down on the trade. While some media and public opinion support the new prison as a symbol of strength, others have raised concerns. Le Matin d'Algérie referred to the facility as a "gulag," highlighting the harsh desert conditions and questioning the wisdom of such a remote location. Critics argue that the government’s approach may be more about projecting toughness than addressing the root causes of insecurity. Meanwhile, Akhbar El-Watan reported that many Algerians welcomed the news, with some even joking on social media that the prison’s harsh conditions might be preferable to the risks of being a drug trafficker.