The Senegalese navy has made yet another major drug seizure, intercepting a go-fast boat carrying 690 kg of cocaine en route to Europe. The boat, manned by five Spaniards, was apprehended 220 km off the coast of Senegal by a deep-sea patrol boat.
In order to stop the go-fast boat, the patrol boat had to resort to verbal warnings and warning shots, as the suspects had already jettisoned their cargo prior to the intervention. However, the navy was able to recover all 690 kg of cocaine.
This recent seizure adds to a string of successful operations by the Senegalese army against drug trafficking. In November and December of last year, the navy had announced two similar seizures, each amounting to nearly three tonnes of cocaine. Furthermore, in January, the navy confiscated over 800 kg of cocaine from a vessel off the coast of Dakar.
These recent developments highlight the increasing role of West and Central Africa not only as a transit zone for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe, but also as a region of significant drug consumption. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has reported a rise in drug consumption in this region, indicating the need for stronger efforts to combat drug trafficking and address the underlying causes of drug abuse.
The successful operations by the Senegalese navy demonstrate the country’s commitment to tackling the issue of drug trafficking. By intercepting go-fast boats and seizing large quantities of cocaine, they are not only disrupting the drug trade, but also sending a strong message to potential traffickers that they will face consequences for their actions.
In conclusion, the recent seizure of 690 kg of cocaine and the arrest of five Spaniards aboard a go-fast boat by the Senegalese navy underscores the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in West and Central Africa. It serves as a reminder of the need for international collaboration and efforts to address both the supply and demand sides of the drug problem in this region.