Senegal Crackdown: Major Drug Trafficking Networks Dismantled in Dakar

Senegalese law enforcement has dismantled a significant drug trafficking network operating in the capital city of Dakar. The coordinated operation resulted in the arrest of more than a dozen suspects, the majority of whom are foreign nationals.

The crackdown was led by the Central Office for the Suppression of Illicit Drug Trafficking, known as OCRTIS. According to official reports, the operation was executed based on actionable intelligence that indicated intense trafficking activity within the city.

Seizures and Confiscated Assets

During the raids, law enforcement officials seized a variety of narcotics and illicit substances. The confiscated drugs included 980 grams of Indian hemp, which was found in both bulk and cone forms, 61 kepas of Kush, and 14 crack stones.

Beyond the narcotics, authorities seized several assets believed to be linked to the criminal network’s operations and finances. These items included:

• Seven coffee kiosks
• 21 mobile phones
• One TVS motorcycle
• Six purebred sheep
• 33,000 CFA francs

Investigation and Public Appeal

The arrests on May 12, 2025, are part of a broader effort to disrupt organized crime in the region. Authorities have launched further investigations to identify and track down additional accomplices associated with this specific trafficking network.

Law enforcement officials are currently urging the public to provide any information that could assist in the apprehension of all individuals involved in the network’s activities.

Broader Security Context in Senegal

This operation against drug trafficking occurs alongside other state security efforts, including an EU-funded crackdown on irregular migration. That initiative aims to reduce the number of people embarking on dangerous journeys to Europe via the Atlantic, specifically targeting routes toward Spain’s Canary Islands.

The migration crackdown has drawn criticism from lawyers, activists, and experts. Reports indicate that the initiative often targets small actors and community members rather than the primary organizers of international smuggling networks. Some individuals have been prosecuted for minor activities, such as driving a taxi or providing food for family members.

The European Union has supported these migration policies with financial assistance, including 30 million euros spent on the construction of centers intended to host migrants. While the government and the EU describe these as processing centers, critics argue they serve as detention facilities where migrants may spend months in prison, even in cases where charges are eventually dropped due to a lack of evidence.