Senegalese customs authorities announced a significant drug seizure on Thursday, intercepting more than 360 kilograms of cocaine in the southeastern town of Koupentoum. The estimated street value of the confiscated narcotics stands at a staggering $48.3 million.
This latest seizure adds to a string of successful operations by Senegalese law enforcement against the flow of cocaine from neighboring countries. Guinea, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Mali, all notorious transit zones for South American cocaine headed for Europe, have seen increased scrutiny in recent months.
Authorities in Koupentoum stopped a lorry traveling from an unidentified neighboring country and discovered a cleverly concealed cache of 365.4 kilograms of cocaine hidden beneath the vehicle’s bed. This seizure marks the third major cocaine bust in Senegal since the beginning of 2024, highlighting the growing vigilance of Senegalese customs officials.
Koupentoum’s strategic location on a key route linking Senegal to Mali and Gambia has made it a focal point in the fight against drug trafficking. Senegalese customs have reported several successful interdictions in recent months, including a one-ton seizure near the eastern border with Mali in April and multiple others earlier in July.
Notably, in November 2023, the Senegalese army achieved a remarkable feat by seizing nearly three tons of cocaine from a vessel apprehended in international waters off the country’s coast. These repeated triumphs against drug traffickers demonstrate Senegal’s unwavering commitment to disrupting the flow of illegal narcotics through the region.
