Bénin: Destruction of 95 kg of cocaine and other narcotics in Ouidah

The Bénin authorities have taken a decisive stand against organized crime with a major operation in Ahozon, Ouidah, on June 18, 2026. The National Agency for the Recovery of Confiscated and Seized Assets (Anracs) publicly incinerated multiple shipments of illicit drugs and psychotropic substances seized across the country.

This high-profile destruction ceremony, held at the waste management facility of the Société de gestion des déchets et de la salubrité (SGDS), was conducted under strict judicial oversight. Key figures including magistrates, senior officials from the Ministry of Justice, and representatives from the Bénin Republican Police and Armed Forces were present to ensure full compliance with legal protocols.

Major port seizure permanently neutralized

Among the substances burned were 95 kilograms of pure cocaine, intercepted just a month earlier at the Port autonome de Cotonou. As explained by Raynier Florent Gnansomon, Director-General of Anracs, these drugs represent the culmination of several operations targeting transnational drug networks operating within Bénin.

The cocaine shipment was discovered in mid-May 2026 during a targeted surveillance operation by the elite Fluvial and Maritime Police Unit (USPFM). Five large drug bundles had been cleverly concealed within the strainer of a foreign-flagged container ship. Following the seizure, the case was handed over to the Central Office for the Suppression of Illicit Drug and Precursor Trafficking (Ocertid) for comprehensive investigation.

Cannabis and psychotropic substances also destroyed

In addition to the cocaine, Anracs disposed of substantial quantities of cannabis and various psychotropic substances that had been confiscated during recent judicial proceedings. The agency emphasized that this systematic destruction serves a dual purpose: enforcing court rulings and ensuring these dangerous substances cannot be reintroduced into local or international criminal networks.

Strict regulatory security measures in place

The transportation, site security at Ahozon, and supervised incineration process were managed by a robust joint military and police task force. Raynier Florent Gnansomon underscored the importance of this operation, stating, “The destruction of these substances is a core responsibility of Anracs.” He highlighted that by removing these seized assets from judicial seals and burning them, the agency fulfills its legal mandate to dismantle and liquidate assets linked to transnational crime. This action marks the definitive conclusion of multiple investigations into drug trafficking networks operating in Bénin.