CONAKRY, (Reuters) – Guinea’s military rulers have  put their armed forces on maximum alert, saying drug traffickers  and their allies in neighbouring countries want to destabilise  the world’s biggest bauxite exporter, state television reported.

Much of the initial support the junta received when it  seized power in December has given way to criticism from  civilians and divisions within the armed forces, but this is the  first time Guinea’s neighbours have been linked to instability.

The junta has tried to crack down on the drugs trade,  arresting senior military officers, including the late President  Lansana Conte’s son, accusing them of collaborating with Latin  American cartels smuggling cocaine through the region.

“Certain drug dealers have managed to flee to neighbouring  countries like Guinea-Bissau and (Senegal’s) Casamance and are  now looking to destabilise the country,” said a statement read  on television late on Saturday.

“(Junta chief Captain Moussa Dadis Camara) has put the  entire armed forces on the highest state of alert to tackle any  attempts at destabilisation,” the statement added.