Cotonou’s Police Strike Hard Against Urban Crime in Vodjè

A major law enforcement operation in Cotonou this week has led to the dismantling of a notorious gang operating from a hidden enclave in the Vodjè district, dealing a severe blow to urban crime networks in southern Benin.

The raid, executed by the Republican Police, resulted in the dismantling of a long-standing hideout used for both cannabis trafficking and consumption. Multiple suspects were detained on site, and authorities seized significant quantities of narcotics along with other incriminating evidence. Investigations are ongoing to dismantle the full extent of the criminal syndicate.

Alòtrò: The Rogue Soldier at the Heart of the Scandal

What began as a routine drug bust has now exposed a disturbing web of corruption involving a serving soldier. Nicknamed “Alòtrò”—a local term for the green mamba—a Beninese military officer is now the most wanted individual in connection with this case.

Security sources confirm that the soldier was not merely a user within the gang. Instead, evidence suggests he played a pivotal role in the operation by extorting regular payments from traffickers. In return, he allegedly provided protection, shielding them from police raids and allowing the criminal network to operate undisturbed. This betrayal of his oath threatens to deepen public distrust in institutions sworn to uphold the law.

The Republican Police have intensified their manhunt, urging the public to come forward with any information that could lead to his arrest. Authorities emphasize that this case highlights the growing threat of collusion between law enforcement and organized crime, a trend that demands urgent attention.