Benin customs seizes over 5 500 smuggled phones at Hillacondji border

A major crackdown on cross-border fraud has just been achieved by Benin’s customs authorities.

On Sunday, July 12, 2026, a sweeping operation at the southwestern border of Benin led to the interception of a substantial shipment of phones being illegally introduced into the country.

Customs officers from the Hillacondji Brigade, under the leadership of Captain Fortuné Allagbé, successfully intercepted the shipment before it could be distributed through illicit channels. In total, 5,574 smuggled Android smartphones were seized.

Strengthening border security and economic integrity

This record seizure is part of a broader anti-fraud strategy implemented by the Director General of Customs, Colonel Raouf Malèhossou Aboudou. It reflects the intensified monitoring of border crossings and the targeted dismantling of criminal networks.

By dismantling this trafficking operation, the customs administration is pursuing several key objectives:

• Protecting state revenue by preventing tax losses.
• Ensuring fair competition for legitimate businesses operating within Benin’s regulatory framework.
• Safeguarding formal sector jobs that depend on compliant commercial activities.