Bamako: More than 128 tons of narcotics were incinerated on Thursday in Mali, as part of the observance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Central Office for Narcotics Control (OCS) announced on Friday.
According to Ghana News Agency, the incinerated substances were seized across Malian territory between June 27, 2024, and June 26, 2025. These included psychotropic drugs, counterfeit medicines, hookah devices, and drug-related accessories, as detailed in a press release issued by the OCS.
The market value of these destroyed substances is estimated to be in the tens of billions of CFA francs, with 10 billion CFA francs being approximately 17.8 million U.S. dollars. The OCS emphasized that the incineration operation aims to demonstrate to the public that these dangerous substances must be destroyed to protect the health of the population from their harmful effects.
OCS Director Fousseny Keita highlighted that Mali is considered a transit country for narcotics and psychotropic substances. He expressed concern that much of this trafficking is conducted by Malians, predominantly young individuals aged between 15 and 45.
