Contraband – Illegal and Expired Drugs Floods Market in Cameroon

Despite the strong warnings and security measures put in place government and law enforcement officers, the smuggling and sales of illegal drugs continue to gain grounds in Cameroon markets, a practice that endangers the health of citizens.

In three different operations carried out last week in the Littoral, West and Centre Regions, huge quantities of contraband drugs illegally imported into the country were seized and destroyed by government and security officials.

In the Littotal Region, the Divisional Officer of the Douala IV subdivision has launched a war against dealers of fake and expired medications, which according to him  poses a great danger to the health of the Populations.

He was talking recently in Bonabéri while burning a huge consignment of illegal drugs. These drugs were intercepted by the 5th police district of the city of Douala, located in the Bonabéri neighborhood.

This was done during an operation launched by the Regional Delegate of the National Security in collaboration with the Divisional Officer of the Douala IV subdivision. It was an occasion for the D.O to remind the population to be vigilant, to avoid being victims of  fake expired drugs, which he says is dangerous for their health.

“We are today destroying the drugs that have been seized in relation with the committee of fighting against bad drugs. So we are using this opportunity to tell the people that they should be aware of the dangers of bad drugs that are being sold along the roads. You need to go to the hospital when you are sick for better drugs. Those drugs are part of our health while consuming it, they become like a poison injected in our body,” said Daouda Issa, D.O of the IV subdivision.

The sale of illegal drugs along the road also affects the economy negatively, says the D.O. To him, it is an illegal business and difficult to control by the government. “This illegal business also affects economic activities. It is an activity that you cannot control, so it is to manage it,” the D.O continued.

In this illegal activity in the city of Douala just like other cities of Cameroon, expired drugs and fake medications are sold in quarters, putting the lives of the population at risk.

At a place called Rue Aéroport still in Douala, the elements of Col. Bikini Pierre Émile, commander of the Littoral Gendarmerie Brigade seized close to 600kg of cannabis in Non Glacé neighborhood. The occupant of the product, whose only name we could get as François was arrested and taken to the Gendarmerie for questioning.

Elsewhere in the country, 600 tubes of peneceline, cartons of cigarette, sirops, benzerline, benzyle among others have been seized and burnt by the council of Bafoussam, headquarters of the West region.

In another operation carried out in Obala in the Centre region, a large quantity of illegal drugs was also seized and destroyed.

With this increasing rate illegal circulation of harmful drugs in the Country, the Populations are therefore called upon to be watchful for their security.

Ingrid KENGNE