Senegal Makes Record Inland Cocaine Seizure in Eastern Town of Kidira

Dakar, Senegal - In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, Senegal's customs authorities have seized more than one tonne of cocaine in the eastern town of Kidira, near the Mali border. This operation marks the largest inland drug haul in the country's history.

The intercepted lorry was found to be carrying 1,137 kilograms (2,506 pounds) of cocaine hidden in packets at the bottom of the vehicle. The drugs had arrived from an unnamed neighboring country, according to the authorities. The seized consignment is estimated to be worth around 90 billion CFA francs ($146 million; £117 million).

This record seizure highlights the growing challenge faced by Senegal as it becomes an increasingly common transit point for Latin American cartels. These cartels are exploiting routes through West Africa to traffic cocaine to Europe and other destinations. The strategic location of towns like Kidira, which serve as gateways between different countries, makes them vulnerable to such illicit activities.

The incident follows another major operation last November, when the Senegalese navy intercepted three tonnes of cocaine aboard a ship off the country’s coast, one of the navy's largest drug hauls to date.

As drug seizures become more frequent, Senegalese authorities continue to intensify their efforts to combat the flow of narcotics through the region, aiming to disrupt the well-established routes used by international drug trafficking networks.