Cameroonian authorities have destroyed a record quantity of narcotics seized at Douala International Airport. The operation, which took place on February 24, 2026, saw the incineration of 2,491 kg of drugs, including 1,000 kg of cocaine. This massive seizure and the rapid destruction that followed demonstrate Cameroon's commitment to the fight against drug trafficking.
The destruction was carried out by a regional ad hoc commission, in accordance with an order from the Governor of the Littoral Region. The cargo, including cocaine and tramadol, had been seized on February 20, 2026. The transfer to the HYSACAM site in Douala, and the destruction by crushing and incineration lasted more than five hours, under the direct supervision of the Governor of the Littoral Region, Samuel Dieudonné IVAHA DIBOUA. He ensured the complete destruction of the products before leaving the site.
This record seizure in Douala comes in a context of strengthened measures to combat drug trafficking in the country's airports. In January 2026, gendarmes seized 5 kg of cocaine and arrested two suspected traffickers in Douala. In July 2025, a previous seizure of 200 kg of cocaine had already been described as significant. These operations follow the establishment of airport anti-trafficking units (CAAT) since 2016, responsible for combating transnational smuggling.
The Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motazé, personally visited the airport after the initial seizure, highlighting the political importance given to this case. The market value of the seizure is estimated at 50 billion FCFA, highlighting the scale of illicit flows passing through Cameroon's economic hub. The minister interrupted a gala dinner to oversee the operation, demonstrating the priority given to the fight against drug trafficking.
Beyond the legal implications, the fight against international drug trafficking is a key indicator of the State's credibility in regional and global cooperation. Tramadol, in particular, continues to ravage working-class neighborhoods, and every kilogram removed from circulation reduces the risk of addiction and crime.
