The Wagner Group, a shadowy Russian paramilitary force, has carved out a lucrative drug trafficking empire in the Central African Republic (CAR), with tramadol smuggling providing a newfound momentum to its operations. According to The Wall Street Journal, this opioid—typically prescribed for mild pain—has been repackaged into a highly potent form, earning the grim moniker “poor man’s cocaine.”
Since establishing a presence in CAR in 2018, Wagner has expanded its influence beyond mere military support. The group now controls key sectors, including gold mining, generating an estimated $180 million (€160 million) in annual illicit profits, per Global Initiative research. These revenues, coupled with control over state institutions, allow Wagner to operate with near impunity, as noted by the U.S. Pentagon-funded Center for Strategic Studies in Africa.
inside Wagner’s ruthless drug and resource network
The tramadol trade is a cornerstone of Wagner’s strategy. Shipped via the Congo River from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the drug floods CAR’s markets before being distributed across borders at inflated prices. Wagner’s mercenaries oversee this network, supplying:
- Elite presidential guards in Bangui,
- A pro-Russian youth militia known as “Les Requins” (The Sharks),
- Gold miners working in Wagner-controlled mines,
- Pro-government protesters and combatants in counter-insurgency operations.
Reports suggest the group’s leaders believe tramadol “boosts combat courage,” fueling its use among armed factions.
Wagner’s resilience in CAR defies its recent setbacks elsewhere. After the 2023 death of founder Evgueni Prigojine and the rise of Russia’s state-backed Africa Corps, the group was expected to fade. Yet in Bangui, Wagner remains a dominant force, leveraging the country’s mineral wealth (gold, diamonds, uranium) and strategic obscurity in Western diplomatic circles.
looming expansion into Sudan?
Analysts quoted in The Wall Street Journal warn of Wagner’s potential expansion into neighboring Sudan, facilitated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). With RSF operations nearing CAR’s borders, Wagner may soon extend its drug and resource trafficking networks, further destabilizing the region.