Tunisian security forces have arrested renowned rapper Samah Al-Riyahi, known by his stage name “Samara,” as part of an operation targeting drug trafficking networks in the country. The arrest took place on Wednesday following the dismantling of a major drug-dealing operation in the Ibn Khaldoun neighborhood, located west of the capital.
The General Directorate of the National Guard revealed that their intelligence services had been closely monitoring the rapper’s movements. Samara was identified as the main figure in the network after extensive investigations. Local media reported that a detention order had been issued against him by the judiciary.
In addition to the rapper, one of his relatives was also taken into custody. Authorities seized a significant quantity of drugs, luxury vehicles, high-end motorcycles, and a large sum of money during the operation.
This arrest is part of a larger crackdown by Tunisian authorities on drug trafficking, particularly in popular neighborhoods and near educational institutions. In 2024 alone, the National Guard arrested around 5,000 drug dealers, a significant increase from 3,165 in 2023.
Houssameddine Al-Jabali, spokesperson for the General Directorate of the National Guard, emphasized the severity of the drug issue in the country, with one-third of Tunisia’s overcrowded prison population facing drug-related charges.
