Major Cocaine Seizure at Douala International Airport

According to the state media outlet CRTV, the cocaine was discovered on May 30, 2024, in a consignment arriving from São Paulo, Brazil.

The narcotics were ingeniously concealed within eight parcels, which collectively weighed 166 kilograms. The parcels were ostensibly filled with shoes and handbags, some of which featured wooden handles. However, upon closer inspection, customs officials uncovered 24.5 kilograms of cocaine meticulously hidden inside.

The Directorate General of Customs under the Ministry of Finance estimates the market value of this seizure at approximately 2 million dollars, which translates to over 1 billion CFA francs. This bust marks one of the most substantial cocaine interceptions at Douala International Airport in recent years.

This incident is not isolated; on February 27, 2024, customs officers seized 15 kilograms of cocaine on a Turkish Airlines flight. Valued at around 600 million CFA francs, the narcotics were concealed in boxes and bottles labeled as cosmetic products.

The suspect, approximately 60 years old, along with the seized drugs, has been handed over to the public prosecutor at the Douala-Bonanjo Court of First Instance. Authorities are actively investigating the case to identify those responsible and understand how this shipment managed to bypass initial security checks.

This latest interception highlights ongoing efforts by Cameroonian authorities to combat drug trafficking through its major international gateway. The meticulous concealment methods employed by traffickers underscore the need for continuous vigilance and enhanced detection capabilities at airports.