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By George Grant and Ashraf Abdul-Wahab
Tripoli, 25 May:
A series of nighttime raids took place on drug dens in the Abu Salim . . .[restrict]and Al-Huadba districts of Tripoli this morning by Supreme Security Committee (SSC) forces, brigades under Interior Ministry control and members of the NTC-affiliated Abu Salim Military Council.
Both areas are home to some of Tripoli’s biggest drug dealers.
According to NTC spokesman Mohammed Harizi, the raids began at 2am this morning and continued for several hours. Sustained exchanges of fire took place, resulting in one fatality amongst those fighting with the drug dealers, and an unknown number of wounded. The wounded men have been taken to Abu Salim hospital for treatment. No injuries or fatalities were reported on the government side.
Large quantities of drugs and alcohol were seized during the raids, which were subsequently disposed of at the base of the Abu Salim Military Council.
Harizi said that the situation has now returned to normal and that the area has been reopened, although a security presence remains. This was confirmed when the Libya Herald passed through the districts earlier today. [/restrict]
