A major drug seizure was made on Tuesday at the Gabonese customs border post at Léon Mba international airport in Libreville. It concerns 7 kilos of marijuana and 1,800 tramadol tablets (cobolos) coming from Benin, via a regular Air Côte-d’Ivoire flight serving the Gabonese capital.
According to Hugues Modeste Odjangou, Director General of Customs and Excise, the drugs discovered were hidden in pieces of dried meat, at the end of an operation carried out in less than 48 hours; underlining the commitment of the Gabonese authorities and relevant services in the fight against drug trafficking. “We carried out the search and discovered these drugs”declared Hughes Modeste Odjangou.
A few days earlier, other significant quantities of drugs had been intercepted on the seafront of the Libreville Harbor, coming from West Africa, likely making the Gabonese capital a hotspot for drug trafficking in the region.
Successive seizures which highlight the growing challenges of crime linked to the consumption of narcotics, at the origin of acts of violence such as rapes, robberies, thefts and murders which are increasingly recurrent in the country. “We have set up an organization to fight against this phenomenon which causes a lot of damage. You observe throughout our society the reactions of our young compatriots who are illustrated in acts of criminality of all kinds”said the Director General of Customs and Excise.
The customs services must nevertheless face the insufficiency of the material and logistical resources necessary to intensify the fight against drug trafficking. “Gabonese customs, whose ambition is to curb this phenomenon, needs to be more equipped”added Hughes Modeste Odjangou, in the face of this alarming reality which calls out to the authorities and the entire national community.
In Gabon, the use and possession of narcotics, including soft drugs, are punishable by penalties ranging from 1 to 6 years in prison. Anyone guilty of domestic drug trafficking faces 2 to 10 years of imprisonment and international trafficking of such substances is sentenced to life imprisonment.
Alph’ – Willem Eslie and Tryphene Lembah
2024-11-07 16:33:00
#kilos #marijuana #cobolos #tablets #seized
**Interview with Hugues Modeste Odjangou, Director General of Customs and Excise, Gabon**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Mr. Odjangou. Can you tell us more about the recent drug seizures at Léon Mba international airport?
**Hugues Modeste Odjangou:** Thank you for having me. Our recent operation at Léon Mba international airport was indeed significant. We seized 7 kilos of marijuana and 1,800 tramadol tablets cleverly concealed within dried meat. This operation demonstrates our commitment to combatting drug trafficking in Gabon.
**Interviewer:** That’s an impressive recovery. How was this operation conducted so swiftly?
**Hugues Modeste Odjangou:** Our team worked diligently and effectively, completing the search in less than 48 hours. This rapid response was made possible due to collaboration between various authorities and the effective intelligence-gathering capabilities we have in place.
**Interviewer:** Prior to this, we learned that there were other drug interceptions at Libreville Harbor. Do these incidents indicate that Gabon is becoming a major drug trafficking hub?
**Hugues Modeste Odjangou:** Unfortunately, yes. The increasing frequency of drug discoveries in our capital suggests that we are becoming a hotspot for drug trafficking, particularly with substances coming from West Africa. It’s crucial for us to enhance our vigilance and continue our fight against these networks.
**Interviewer:** In light of these challenges, could you elaborate on the impacts of drug consumption in Gabon?
**Hugues Modeste Odjangou:** The rise in narcotic consumption is deeply concerning. It correlates with various social issues, including violence, which can lead to crimes such as rape and other acts of aggression. Our efforts must not only focus on intercepting drugs but also on preventative measures to educate the population about the consequences of drug abuse.
**Interviewer:** What steps are you planning to take moving forward to address this growing issue?
**Hugues Modeste Odjangou:** We are enhancing our surveillance operations and improving coordination with international agencies. Additionally, we aim to increase community awareness programs to educate young people on the dangers of drug use. Combating this issue requires a multifaceted approach, and we are committed to taking all necessary steps.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Odjangou, for your insights and for your ongoing efforts in this fight. We hope to see continued progress.
**Hugues Modeste Odjangou:** Thank you for the opportunity to share our efforts. Together, we can make a difference.
