jpnn.com, AFRIKA - Police in northern Niger confiscated more than 200 kilograms of cocaine worth US$8.7 million (approximately Rp 124.45 billion) transported in a local mayor's official truck.
This was revealed by two Niger police officers on Monday (3/1).
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The mayor and his driver, who were in the vehicle at the time, were arrested with 199 blocks of cocaine at a checkpoint on the road leading north from the commercial center in the city of Agadez on Sunday, the two policemen said.
A statement from the Niger Headquarters for the Eradication of Illicit Drug Trafficking confirmed that more than 200 kg of cocaine had been confiscated in Agadez but gave no details.
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West Africa has recorded a series of record arrests in recent years.
This region of Africa is the most frequent transit route for drug traffickers en route from South America to Europe.
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Senegal seized more than two tonnes of pure cocaine from a ship off the Atlantic coast in October 2021, and Gambian authorities seized nearly three tonnes of cocaine in January 2021 in a shipment originating from Ecuador.
After the seizure of 17 tonnes of cannabis resin worth about $37 million in Niger in May 2021, Interpol's drug unit coordinator Jan Drapal told Reuters that drug lords were making larger shipments in response to growing demand in Europe. (ant/dil/mcr20/jpnn)
This news has been broadcast on JPNN.com with the title: Edan, Wali Kota Tertangkap Basah Angkut 200 Kg Kokain Pakai Mobil Dinas