The Senegalese Customs Department has announced the success of operations carried out by its river-sea units to combat the trafficking of prohibited products on the high seas.
This included the seizure of 1.3 billion CFA francs worth of drugs, counterfeit medicines and expired food products.
Between late November and early December 2024, the maritime brigades of Mbour, Joal, Fimela, Foundiougne, Toubacouta and Cap Skirring, as well as the South Littoral Customs Subdivision, intercepted large quantities of Indian hemp, counterfeit medicines and chicken legs.
These seizures represent an estimated value of over 1.335 billion CFA francs.
The operations resulted in the seizure of 407 kg of Indian hemp and counterfeit medicines between Niodior and Tendou, and 570 kg of Indian hemp and bottles of injectable paracetamol in the Saloum delta.
The Fimela River and Sea Brigade carried out two major operations. An initial seizure of 293 kg of Indian hemp was followed by another seizure of 114 kg, bringing the total to 407 kg. Officers also boarded a pirogue carrying 82 cartons of counterfeit medicines.
For their part, officers from the Toubacouta naval brigade seized 570 kg of Indian hemp and a large quantity of injectable paracetamol.
In response to the increase in organised transnational crime by sea, the Customs Department has strengthened the resources of its maritime units to improve surveillance and law enforcement.
It also calls on the public to actively cooperate with the customs services to curb all forms of illicit trafficking.
AC/sf/lb/as/APA