Customs officers stationed at the mobile brigade in Ekok, located in Cameroon’s South-West region, have intercepted 45 kilograms of cannabis smuggled from Nigeria—marking the country’s largest drug seizure so far in 2025.
The Directorate General of Customs operating under the Ministry of Finance, revealed the development in its most recent newsletter, as reported by the platform Business in Cameroon.
The interception took place on June 20 during a routine inspection of cross-border transport vehicles. Authorities said the drugs were hidden inside bundles of slippers carried aboard a public bus that had entered Cameroon from Nigeria.
The individual responsible for the shipment, a Nigerian national, was arrested and remains in custody, pending further investigation.
According to the DGD, the consignment was intended for distribution among multiple drug networks in Douala, Cameroon’s commercial capital.
Officials described the bust as a major milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to disrupt transnational narcotics trafficking. Cameroon and Nigeria share a 1,500-kilometre border that stretches from the Sahel region to the Atlantic coast. Much of this boundary remains unregulated, making it a known corridor for the illegal movement of drugs, fuel, and counterfeit merchandise.
To counteract these threats, Cameroon has implemented the “Halte au commerce illicite” (Halcomi) initiative, a national anti-smuggling campaign aimed at strengthening border security and safeguarding the domestic market.
Customs authorities say the recent seizure highlights the growing effectiveness of Halcomi operations in tightening surveillance and control across key points of entry.
