A former Miss North Africa beauty queen has been seized by police after the reported discovery of huge stashes of cocaine and cash at her home in Algeria.

Accused Wahida Guerroudj was held in custody, reported local media, following her arrest in Algiers on 31st December.

Her husband was not at home at the time of the raid and is said to have gone into hiding after hearing of her arrest.

He is said to have a criminal record and Wahida’s brother is reportedly serving a three-year prison sentence for drug offences.

Stunning Wahida once told Algerian media: “My brother is neither a thief nor a criminal.

“He thought he wanted to do the right thing, he finally found himself between four walls.”

Wahida describes herself as Miss North Africa 2021 and Miss Heritage Afrique 2019 on Instagram, where she boasts 713,000 followers.

She also describes herself as the owner of a model training agency called Catwalk Model and of a fashion label called Najwa Design.

She is said to be the mother of a seven-month-old baby, who reportedly remained with her when she was arrested and questioned.

On social media, some of her followers have been calling for her release, while others have been criticising her alleged criminal lifestyle.