In an anti-narcotics operation, a Senegalese navy patrol boat intercepted a vessel 150 kilometers off the coast on Tuesday, seizing nearly 3 tonnes of pure cocaine, as announced in an official statement by the navy.
The apprehended boat, along with its illicit cargo, was safely escorted to the Admiral Faye Gassama Naval Base in the capital city of Dakar.
The navy handed over the seized drugs to the relevant authorities. The official statement did not disclose further details regarding the operation.
Photographs shared on the navy’s social media platform, X, showcased the intercepted vessel, identified as the Ville d’Abidjan, at dock.
The images captured dozens of suitcase-sized bundles wrapped in colorful plastic, and law enforcement officers were depicted examining a white substance believed to be extracted from the confiscated haul.
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The incident highlights the persistent issue of drug trafficking in the region, with West African countries often serving as transit points for smuggling cocaine from South America to Europe.
Coca bush cultivation and global cocaine production reached record highs in 2021, as reported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in its annual World Drug Report released in June.
The report also noted a steady increase in the global number of cocaine users, estimated at 22 million in the same year.
Authorities remain vigilant in combating the illicit drug trade, working to curb its impact on both regional and international levels.