On Friday, 5 June 2026, the regional branch of the Central Office for the Repression of Illicit Drug Trafficking (OCRTIS) in Zinder dismantled a transnational network, seizing 920 grammes of cocaine cleverly concealed inside bales of second-hand clothing. Two suspects were arrested in the Djaguindi neighbourhood — one Nigerien and one Beninese national. The operation highlights the growing ingenuity of traffickers who exploit the Lomé-Niamey-Lagos corridor.
This seizure speaks volumes about the sophistication of drug trafficking networks operating in West Africa. Acting on reliable information provided by the local population, investigators successfully carried out a targeted operation in the heart of the regional capital. The crackdown led to the dismantling of a cocaine trafficking ring and the arrest of two individuals.
The trafficking circuit: the “Bocho” trick
The drugs were hidden inside bales of second-hand clothing — locally known as “Bocho” — originating from Lomé, Togo. These goods, whose heavy commercial flow provides perfect cover, transited through Niamey before reaching their final destination in Nigeria.
Further, the modus operandi revealed by the investigation illustrates a trend well documented by regional anti-drug agencies: the use of large-scale legal trade flows to conceal narcotics. Bales of second-hand clothes, commonly referred to as “Bocho” in the region, constitute a massive import-export vector between Togo, Niger and Nigeria, making them a remarkably effective camouflage for traffickers.
“The National Police is your safety and that of your property.” — Official message from OCRTIS Niger, National Police.
Beyond the seizure itself, this operation also highlights the crucial role played by the public in the fight against drugs. OCRTIS publicly commended the collaboration of Zinder residents, whose tip-off enabled the intervention. In the particularly tense Sahel security context, maintaining trust between law enforcement and communities is a major strategic challenge to curb trafficking that undermines local economies and fuels other forms of organised crime.
Call for citizen vigilance
Finally, OCRTIS urges the entire population to remain extra vigilant against the activities of trafficking networks. To report any confidential information, the National Police provides toll-free numbers: 8383 and 17.
