Burkina Faso’s Customs Administration has launched an aggressive campaign against illicit trafficking, seizing prohibited goods and explosives valued at more than CFA 732 million between late 2025 and early 2026.
Under the direction of Director General Yves Kafando, customs officers achieved these significant results in a brief twenty-day window from December 22, 2025, to January 10, 2026. The operations, which spanned the Nando, Nakambé, and Nazinon regions, led to the interception of 16,826 packages of prohibited items, highlighting the heightened effectiveness of the Territorial Surveillance Directorate and mobile intervention units.
The intercepted shipments represented a substantial security threat, containing high-risk chemical substances like cyanide and sulphuric acid alongside military-grade equipment. Among the most dangerous items seized were explosive devices, detonating cords, and sticks of explosives, all of which were transferred to the armed forces for immediate destruction. In addition to these security risks, the crackdown targeted economic smuggling, capturing banned pharmaceuticals, tobacco, and illicit beverages.
This series of successful operations serves as a precursor to a broader 2026 policy of absolute rigor against criminal networks. The General Directorate of Customs has signaled that it will maintain this firm stance throughout the year to protect both the national economy and public safety. By reaffirming its commitment to a zero-tolerance approach, the administration aims to eliminate complacency and further neutralize the impact of illicit trafficking across the country.
Ho/sf/lb/abj/APA