Ex-mercenaries of Wagner fuel conflicts with opioid trafficking in Central Africa
ex-mercenaries of Wagner fuel conflicts with opioid trafficking in Central Africa
Former fighters of the disbanded Russian group Wagner allegedly sustain their operations through tramadol trafficking in conflict zones.
Three years after the demise of Evgeny Prigozhin, the networks he established in Africa continue to thrive. Investigations indicate that the trafficking of tramadol— a potent opioid painkiller— has become a critical revenue stream for former Wagner mercenaries operating in the region.
Around 500 former Wagner fighters remain in the Central African Republic, including Pavel Prigozhin, the late leader’s son. Moscow has since shifted control of Wagner’s foreign operations to state-backed entities, but the remnants persist in exploiting local instability to fund their activities through illicit trade.
