Senegalese customs officials have dealt a major blow to international drug trafficking networks.
The Koumpentoum Mobile Customs Brigade carried out a spectacular seizure of 970.6
kilogrammes of cocaine on Monday on the Koumpentoum-Koungheul road, near Ida Mouride.
The operation, conducted as part of the fight against transnational organised crime, led to the discovery of 844 slabs of cocaine carefully concealed in a hidden compartment inside a truck arriving from a neighbouring country, the customs administration explained on its digital platforms.
To conceal the illicit goods, the traffickers had loaded the vehicle with a significant quantity of “Madd” (popular sour tropical fruit).
But the ploy did not escape the vigilance of Customs officers who, relying on a tip-off, decided to search the truck parked approximately 200 metres from the main road.
Analyses carried out by the National Laboratory of Technical and Scientific Police confirmed that it was pure cocaine.
The value of the shipment is estimated at over 58.2 billion CFA francs (about $103 million).
An investigation has been launched to trace the supply chain and identify those responsible for the trafficking.
The significant seizure comes a few weeks after the tour of the Southeast Customs region by the Director General of Customs, Babacar Mbaye.
During the tour, he emphasised the need to strengthen the fight against security threats, particularly international drug trafficking, while also announcing an increase in personnel and operational resources.
The Customs Administration thus reaffirms its determination to combat illicit trafficking in all its forms and calls on the public as well as transport and trade actors to support the efforts undertaken against organised crime.
TE/fss/jn/APA