Wagner’s expanding drug operations fuel instability in central africa

The Russian-backed Wagner Group has carved out a lucrative narcotics empire in the Central African Republic, with tramadol trafficking providing fresh momentum to its already entrenched operations. What began as a mercenary force has evolved into a multifaceted criminal enterprise, leveraging the country’s porous borders and weak governance to amass wealth and influence.

Originally prescribed for mild to moderate pain, tramadol in the Central African Republic is being repackaged into a far more potent form—often compared to “poor man’s cocaine”—and distributed across the region. This synthetic opioid, smuggled in from the Democratic Republic of the Congo via river routes, floods local markets and fuels addiction among vulnerable populations.

Despite the 2023 death of founder Evgeny Prigozhin, Wagner’s operations in Bangui remain robust. Now led by his son, Pavel, the group commands around 500 fighters and maintains tight control over the country’s gold mines, generating an estimated $180 million annually in illicit mineral exports, according to Global Initiative. These revenues, combined with drug trafficking, have cemented Wagner’s grip on local power structures.