Niamey, June 7, 2026 – Niger’s fight against drug trafficking reached a critical milestone today as authorities incinerated a massive haul of cocaine seized in coordinated operations across the country. The destruction ceremony took place at the Central Livestock Laboratory (LABOCEL), under the supervision of the National Commission for Drug Control Coordination (CNCLD).
Over 319 kilograms of cocaine obliterated
A total of 280 cocaine bricks, weighing 319.745 kilograms, were destroyed in compliance with international protocols. The haul originated from two major seizures: 47 bricks intercepted in Gaya, Dosso region, on September 29, 2025, and 233 bricks seized in Zinder on May 19, 2026. Prior to incineration, forensic experts from the Technical and Scientific Police Directorate (DPTS) conducted rigorous testing on a representative sample, confirming the substance as cocaine hydrochloride (HCL).
Strict adherence to international drug disposal standards
CNCLD Chairman Mai Moussa Elhadji Bashir emphasized that the operation aligns with global best practices for managing confiscated narcotics. He highlighted the necessity of timely destruction to mitigate risks associated with prolonged storage, particularly as judicial proceedings can span several years before resolution.
Unified judicial and security force mobilization
Justice Minister Alio Daouda presided over the ceremony, joined by top judicial and security officials. The event included the presence of the Prosecutor of the Republic at the Niamey High Court, the Director of the Central Office for the Repression of Illicit Drug Trafficking (OCRTIS), the Director-General of LABOCEL, and representatives from defense and security forces. Together, they witnessed the systematic destruction of the narcotics.
This incineration of over three hundred kilograms of cocaine underscores Niger’s unwavering commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks—a growing threat to regional security and stability in the Sahel.
