Ivory Coast: 4 arrests during an anti-drug operation

In Côte d’Ivoire, a large-scale operation against drug trafficking was carried out on Monday, December 1, 2025, in Vavoua, in the Haut-Sassandra region, by the Cellule antidrogue de Daloa (CAD) with the support of the escadron mobile 1/2 de Daloa. Four individuals were arrested, including one who presented himself as a teacher.

According to the gendarmes, this intervention followed an anonymous tip reporting the existence of an active point of sale in several neighborhoods of the town. The raid, which began at 10 a.m., continued until 11 p.m., allowing authorities to secure the premises, make arrests and carry out searches.

Among those implicated are N. Philippe, 29, a Beninese national presented as a teacher; ZBT Benjamin, 43, an alleged farmer; K. Mohamed, 21, a user and occasional seller; and BM Bernard, 66, an intermediary for local supply.

The search led to the seizure of a 750 g block of cannabis, a 93.75 g slab, 350 small packages (520 g) and a motorcycle used for distribution. The market value of the drugs is estimated at 242,500 FCFA.

The four suspects were placed in police custody and will be brought before the courts on charges of trafficking, possession and consumption of narcotics. This operation forms part of the national strategy to combat drugs, aimed at dismantling active networks and protecting vulnerable youth.