Cameroon’s customs officers stationed at the mobile brigade in Ekok, South-West region, have seized 45 kilograms of cannabis smuggled from Nigeria in what authorities say is the largest such seizure so far in 2025.

The Directorate General of Customs (DGD), under the Ministry of Finance, disclosed the interception in its latest newsletter, according to the online platform, Business in Cameroon.

The incident occurred during a routine inspection on June 20. Customs officials said the illicit drugs were concealed within bundles of slippers being transported on a public bus that crossed into Cameroon from Nigeria.

The Nigerian national responsible for the cargo was arrested and taken into custody.

According to the DGD, the cannabis was destined for distribution among multiple traffickers operating in Douala, Cameroon’s economic hub.

The agency described the seizure as a significant success in its ongoing efforts to combat transnational drug smuggling.

Cameroon and Nigeria share a 1,500-kilometre border that stretches from the country’s northern tip to its southern end. The largely unmonitored boundary has long served as a route for various forms of cross-border trafficking, including drugs, fuel, and counterfeit goods.

To address these challenges, Cameroon has been operating the “Halte au commerce illicite” (Halcomi) initiative, a national campaign aimed at curbing the flow of illegal goods and protecting the domestic economy.

Customs officials say the latest seizure demonstrates the effectiveness of the Halcomi operation in tightening controls along key entry points. (The Guardian)