In a decisive move against narcotics trafficking, Niger officials have carried out the destruction of a massive cocaine shipment. The incineration took place at the Laboratoire Central de l’Élevage (LABOCEL) in Niamey, organized by the Commission Nationale de Coordination de Lutte contre la Drogue (CNCLD).
Massive haul of 319 kilograms destroyed
The operation saw the elimination of 280 bricks of the drug, totaling 319.745 kilograms. These substances were recovered during two major law enforcement actions: a seizure of 47 bricks in Gaya, within the Dosso region, on September 29, 2025, and another involving 233 bricks intercepted in Zinder on May 19, 2026.
Prior to the burning, specialists from the Direction de la Police Technique et Scientifique (DPTS) analyzed samples of the cargo. The laboratory results verified that the substance was indeed cocaine hydrochloride (HCL).
Compliance with international drug management protocols
Mai Moussa Elhadji Bashir, President of the CNCLD, explained that this action aligns with global standards for handling confiscated narcotics. He noted the importance of destroying these substances promptly to mitigate security risks associated with long-term storage, even as legal proceedings continue through the judicial system.
High-level oversight of the operation
The Minister of Justice, Alio Daouda, led the ceremony and observed the various stages of the incineration. He was accompanied by the Prosecutor of the Republic for the Niamey High Court, the head of the Office Central de Répression du Trafic Illicite des Stupéfiants (OCRTIS), and the LABOCEL Director General, alongside several representatives from the defense and security forces.
This large-scale destruction of over 300 kilograms of cocaine highlights the firm commitment of Niger to dismantle trafficking networks that threaten the security and stability of the Sahel region.