Cameroonian authorities publicly destroyed a record seizure of drugs, including 2,491 kg of cocaine and tramadol, on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, in Douala. The shipment, estimated to be worth 50 billion CFA francs (approximately $90 million), had been intercepted on February 20 at Douala International Airport.
The ad hoc commission set up by the Governor of the Littoral Region, Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua, oversaw the destruction at the HYSACAM site. The commission first made an accurate inventory of the products, identifying 1,057 kg of cocaine and 1,434 kg of tramadol, or approximately 27 million 225 mg tablets. Tests confirmed the nature of the substances before their destruction.
"In execution of the decree of the Governor of the Littoral Region... the regional ad hoc commission in charge of the destruction of the 2,491 kilograms of cocaine and tramadol seized at Douala International Airport on February 20, 2026, proceeded today... to the execution of its mandate," the official statement said.
The destruction process, which lasted more than five hours, involved crushing and incinerating the drugs. Governor Diboua oversaw the operation to ensure the complete destruction of the products. The presence of magistrates, customs officers, defense forces, health officials and environmental representatives underscored the complexity of the control system.
This record seizure and subsequent destruction is part of a broader campaign to combat drug trafficking in Cameroon. Authorities are seeking to strengthen measures to protect the public from the dangers of drug use and related criminal activities. Douala International Airport is a strategic gateway for trade in Central Africa, but also a hotspot for international trafficking networks. Customs officers maintain increased surveillance of the facility, which led to this important interception.
In June 2025, customs had already seized between 200 and 245 kg of cocaine hidden in plastic drums from Europe. In April 2025, 70 kg of methamphetamine, ephedrine and cocaine hidden in air compressors from South Africa via Rwanda were seized, followed by an additional 30 kg of cocaine in luggage.
Tramadol, a powerful painkiller diverted from its medical use, floods local markets and fuels cross-border resale networks, posing a major public health problem, especially among young people and low-income communities.
The destruction of this cargo sends a strong signal to traffickers, demonstrating Cameroon's ability to intercept and quickly destroy large quantities of drugs.
