First, West Africa is becoming both a major drug transit region and a growing consumer market. Cocaine from South America, local cannabis, opioids and synthetic drugs move through routes connecting Latin America, the Atlantic coast, the Sahel and Europe. Seizures recorded in 2025 and 2026 point to an increasingly connected criminal network.
In Senegal, customs officers seized 970.6 kilograms of cocaine on June 15, 2026. The drugs were hidden in a truck travelling along the Koumpentoum-Koungheul road. Authorities estimated their value at 58.2 billion CFA francs. Other major seizures included 2.114 tonnes of cocaine along the Dakar-Kidira corridor in 2025 and six tonnes of cannabis in Casamance in May 2026.
Meanwhile, Nigeria has recorded large cannabis seizures. On May 9, 2026, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency discovered 2.326 tonnes of Canadian Loud in a villa in Lagos. Four days later, officers seized another 4.1 tonnes at Tincan Island port. The shipment had travelled from Canada through Morocco before reaching Nigeria. Several international agencies contributed to the investigation.
Furthermore, maritime routes remain a major concern. A report published in June 2026 linked a 30.2-tonne cocaine seizure aboard the Arconian to a suspected loading point in Sierra Leone. Investigators described a system involving coastal storage, cargo ships and speedboats transporting drugs towards Europe.
In the Sahel, trafficking routes also cross areas affected by insecurity and weak border controls. Mali and Burkina Faso have reported drug seizures and the destruction of synthetic substances.
Finally, authorities face challenges beyond interception. Regional agencies warn about rising cocaine trafficking and the misuse of tramadol. The United Nations estimated global cocaine production at a record 3,665 tonnes in 2023.
Therefore, an effective response requires more than seizures. Financial investigations, prevention, education and treatment must complement law enforcement to weaken criminal networks and reduce drug-related harm.
