Cameroon Destroys Record 2.5 Tons of Cocaine and Tramadol Seized at Douala Airport

Cameroon’s Customs administration has carried out one of the largest drug destruction operations in the country’s history, eliminating 2,491 kilograms of narcotics seized at Douala International Airport. The substances,  including over a ton of cocaine and more than a ton of Tramadol,  were destroyed on February 24, just four days after their interception.

Largest Drug Destruction Operation in Cameroon

The destruction was supervised by an ad hoc regional commission acting under the authority of Littoral Region Governor Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua. According to officials, the haul consisted of:

• 1,057 kg of cocaine
• 1,434 kg of Tramadol, equivalent to nearly 27 million tablets of 225 mg

Before disposal, the narcotics were stored in the airport’s freight warehouse. The commission conducted a full inventory and verified the substances using Identa testing kits, in compliance with regulations governing toxic and controlled products.

The cargo was then transported to the Hysacam waste management site in Douala, where it was crushed and incinerated between 8:40 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. under the governor’s supervision.

Seizure Resulted From Targeted Intelligence

Authorities revealed that the drugs were intercepted on February 20 following high-level intelligence operations. The shipments had been falsely declared as medical supplies in an attempt to bypass customs checks.

The seized consignments originated from:

• Germany (cocaine)
• India and South Sudan (Tramadol)

They were transported through both a European airline and an African carrier, according to a statement from Finance Minister Louis Paul Motazé.

Estimated Value: $90 Million

The Ministry of Finance estimates the total value of the narcotics at approximately $90 million, or around CFA50 billion. This makes the seizure significantly larger than the previous record, a 200 kg cocaine bust in July 2025, valued at about CFA9 billion.

Strengthened Border Controls Amid Rising Trafficking

Officials say the operation highlights Cameroon’s intensified efforts to combat transnational drug trafficking. Enhanced airport and border surveillance, combined with intelligence-led operations, played a central role in the record-breaking seizure.

Authorities emphasise that the destruction of the narcotics sends a strong signal to trafficking networks operating across Central Africa and beyond.