Niger destroys over 319 kg of cocaine in Niamey incineration ceremony

In a decisive move against narcotics trafficking, Nigerien officials oversaw the incineration of a massive cocaine haul in Niamey. The event, which took place on Sunday, June 7, 2026, was held at the Laboratoire Central de l’Élevage (LABOCEL) under the supervision of the Commission Nationale de Coordination de Lutte contre la Drogue (CNCLD).

Massive destruction of 319 kilograms of narcotics

A total of 280 bricks of cocaine, weighing exactly 319.745 kilograms, were committed to the flames. This significant quantity was the result of two major law enforcement breakthroughs: 47 bricks intercepted in Gaya, within the Dosso region, on September 29, 2025, and another 233 bricks seized in Zinder on May 19, 2026.

Prior to the incineration, specialists from the Direction de la Police Technique et Scientifique (DPTS) conducted rigorous testing on samples. The laboratory analysis confirmed the substance was indeed cocaine hydrochloride (HCL).

Adherence to international drug management protocols

Mai Moussa Elhadji Bashir, the President of the CNCLD, emphasized that this operation aligns with global standards for managing confiscated narcotics. He noted that destroying these substances within a reasonable timeframe is essential to mitigate security risks associated with long-term storage, particularly as judicial proceedings can often span several years.

High-level security and judicial presence

The Minister of Justice, Alio Daouda, presided over the ceremony, witnessing the various stages of the destruction process alongside prominent legal and security figures. Also in attendance were the Public Prosecutor of the Niamey High Court, the Director of the Office Central de Répression du Trafic Illicite des Stupéfiants (OCRTIS), and the head of LABOCEL, as well as various representatives from the defense and security forces.

This operation to eliminate over 300 kilograms of cocaine underscores the firm commitment of Niger to dismantle drug trafficking networks, which continue to pose a significant threat to the security and stability of the Sahel region.