On Sunday night, the Special Customs Brigade intercepted a French national attempting to smuggle 40 kilograms of cocaine to Europe. The drugs, discovered in two suitcases, were in the form of 36 wafers and estimated to be worth approximately 3.2 billion CFA francs (US$5.4 million).
A Senegalese customs statement confirmed the seizure, stating that an initial test conducted by customs agents identified the substance as cocaine. This was further corroborated by the National Drug Analysis Laboratory of the Technical and Scientific Police.
“The successful operation was a result of judicious exploitation of intelligence,” the statement highlighted, acknowledging collaboration with the Senegalese High Authority for Airports (HAAS). It added that the suspect was arrested and is currently under investigation.
This seizure marks the second major cocaine bust by the Special Customs Brigade this month. On June 8th, the same unit intercepted 20 kilograms of cocaine intended for export.
The recent surge in cocaine seizures has led some observers to speculate that Senegal might be emerging as a hub for drug trafficking. The country’s eastern and southern borders with Mali, Gambia, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau are particularly susceptible to transnational crime activities, including drug trafficking and counterfeit currency smuggling.
These ongoing efforts by Senegalese authorities demonstrate their commitment to disrupting drug trafficking networks and safeguarding the country’s borders.
ODL/te/sf/lb/abj/APA