Cameroonian authorities incinerated 2.5 tons of narcotics on February 24, 2026, at a HYSACAM center in Douala. This destruction operation follows a record seizure made four days earlier at Douala International Airport. The shipment, composed of 1,057 kg of cocaine and 1,434 kg of tramadol, had been previously analyzed in the laboratory.
The Governor of the Littoral region, Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua, personally supervised the operation, underscoring the importance of this seizure. Magistrates, customs officers, defense forces, health officials, and environmental representatives were also present, demonstrating the complexity of the system put in place to prevent leakage or substitution.
The seizure highlights the role of Douala airport as a major transit point for international drug trafficking. Tramadol, an analgesic diverted from its medical use, represents a significant part of the seizure, confirming its abundance in local markets and its role in cross-border resale networks. According to Finance Minister Louis Paul Motazé, the value of the seized drugs is estimated at around 50 billion CFA francs (approximately $90 million).
This massive destruction sends a strong signal to traffickers, demonstrating the authorities' ability to intercept and quickly destroy drug shipments. A seizure of this magnitude represents considerable financial losses for criminal networks but does not solve the problem at the source. Authorities hope that repeating such operations will disrupt the criminal economy and deter traffickers.
The investigation continues to identify and arrest the traffickers involved in this case. Dismantling human networks is crucial to prevent new shipments from replacing those that have been destroyed. Are the Cameroonian authorities ready to take this decisive step in the fight against drug trafficking? The answer to this question will determine the long-term impact of this record operation. The previous record seizure at Douala airport was 200 kg of cocaine in July 2025.
