The Beninese customs have achieved a major victory in their ongoing fight against cross-border fraud.
On July 12, 2026, a coordinated operation at the south-western border led to the interception of a massive shipment of illegally imported phones.
Under the leadership of Captain Fortuné Allagbé, the Hillacondji Customs Brigade successfully halted the consignment before it could enter illicit distribution networks. In total, 5,574 Android smartphones were confiscated.
Strengthening economic protection and zero-tolerance approach
This landmark seizure aligns with the customs authority’s intensified anti-fraud strategy, spearheaded by Director General Colonel Raouf Malèhossou Aboudou. It underscores the government’s commitment to tightening border controls and dismantling criminal networks engaged in smuggling.
The operation serves multiple critical purposes:
- Safeguarding state revenue by preventing tax evasion.
- Ensuring fair competition for legally operating businesses in Benin.
- Protecting jobs in the formal trade sector.