Authorities in Guinea-Bissau say they have seized 2.63 tonnes of cocaine that was found on a plane at the capital’s international airport.
The plane had come from Venezuela, the Reuters news agency reports citing a police statement.
On Saturday, at least 78 bales of cocaine were discovered, which local reports say is the largest drugs seizure in the country’s history.
The West African country is known as a key transit point in global drug trafficking. This has led to the UN to calling it a “narco-state”.
A local newspaper has reported that the plane was registered in Mexico.
All five of the crew members were detained, including the pilot. Among those in custody are two Mexicans, one Colombian, one Ecuadorian and one Brazilian.
The suspects were due in court on Monday.
Authorities say the seizure, which was dubbed “Operation Landing”, was done in close co-operation with the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre–Narcotics, a European organisation.
According to a local report, the police are working on dismantling the entire network involved in this drug trafficking incident.
The authorities in Bissau have for years been trying to deal with the country being used as a conduit for narcotics destined for Europe.
Since independence from Portugal in 1974, the country has experienced nine coups, leaving it with weak state institutions.
Some say this has made the country a fertile ground for drug barons.
Earlier in 2024, the son of Guinea-Bissau’s ex-president was sentenced to over six years in prison by a US court for leading an international heroin trafficking ring.
You may also be interested in:
Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.
Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
BBC Africa podcasts
David Turner is a globe-trotting journalist who brings a global perspective to our readers. With a commitment to shedding light on international events, he explores complex geopolitical issues, offering a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
