In Senegal, illicit merchandise was intercepted offshore by customs officers, with an estimated value of 392 million CFA francs.
A major seizure of fake medicines was made on December 11, 2024 by the Foundiougne Maritime Customs Brigade, off the coast of Niodior, in the South Littoral region, according to a press release received by APA on Tuesday.
The operation led to the interception of 207 boxes containing various pharmaceutical products, including painkillers, aphrodisiacs and vials for intravenous injection.
The total value of this seizure is estimated at 392 million CFA francs, making this intervention the most significant on the southern coast since the start of 2024.
Customs agents chased a canoe carrying these illicit drugs before boarding it.
« This seizure demonstrates the vigilance and effectiveness of maritime units in the fight against illicit trafficking by sea. », Specifies the press release.
This operation is not isolated. The same unit had already made a previous seizure involving 59 boxes, estimated at 108 million CFA francs.
The General Directorate of Customs welcomed the collaboration with the Union of Private Pharmacists of Senegal, which participated in the evaluation of the seized products and made a trip to Foundiougne to support the efforts of the teams on the ground.
Faced with the scale of this scourge, Customs is urging stakeholders and professionals in the pharmaceutical sector to raise awareness of the dangers of fake medicines.
They also reaffirm their determination to intensify the fight against this trafficking which constitutes “ a danger to the health of populations ».
ARD/ac/Sf/APA
Local
Senegal
