Niamey, June 7, 2026 – Niger’s crackdown on drug trafficking reached a new milestone as authorities incinerated a substantial haul of cocaine confiscated during multiple nationwide operations. The destruction ceremony took place this Sunday at the Central Livestock Laboratory (LABOCEL), under the supervision of the National Drug Control Coordination Commission (CNCLD).
Over 319 kilograms of cocaine neutralized
A total of 280 cocaine bricks, weighing 319.745 kilograms, were destroyed in this operation. The haul originated from two major seizures: 47 bricks intercepted in Gaya, Dosso region, on September 29, 2025, and 233 bricks seized in Zinder on May 19, 2026.
Prior to incineration, forensic experts from the Technical and Scientific Police Directorate (DPTS) conducted laboratory tests on a sample of the substance. The analysis confirmed the presence of cocaine hydrochloride (HCL).
Strict adherence to international drug disposal protocols
During the ceremony, CNCLD Chairman Mai Moussa Elhadji Bashir emphasized that the operation complies with global standards for handling seized narcotics. He noted that authorities must destroy confiscated drugs within reasonable timeframes to mitigate risks associated with long-term storage, particularly as legal proceedings can drag on for years.
Coordinated effort by judicial and security agencies
Justice Minister Alio Daouda presided over the destruction ceremony, joined by senior judicial and security officials. Attendees included the Niamey Prosecutor of the High Court, the Director of the Central Office for Illicit Drug Trafficking Suppression (OCRTIS), the LABOCEL Director General, and representatives from defense and security forces.
The incineration of more than 300 kilograms of cocaine underscores Niger’s unwavering commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks—a growing threat to security and stability across the Sahel.
