In a decisive operation on Friday, June 5, 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 clothes. Two suspects—a Nigerien and a Beninese national—were arrested in the Djaguindi neighbourhood. The bust highlights the growing sophistication of traffickers who now exploit the Lomé–Niamey–Lagos corridor.
This seizure reveals the advanced methods used by drug trafficking networks across West Africa. Acting on a reliable tip from the local population, OCRTIS officers carried out a targeted raid in Djaguindi, the heart of the regional capital. The operation successfully broke up the ring and led to the immediate arrest of the two individuals.
The arrested individuals reflect the transnational nature of the trade: the first is a Nigerien resident of Zinder, while the second is a Beninese national who was passing through the city. Their profiles illustrate how local and foreign intermediaries work together along West African commercial routes.
The trafficking route: the ‘Bocho’ trick
The drugs were hidden inside bales of used clothing—locally known as “Bocho”—that arrived from Lomé, Togo. These goods, whose heavy trade flow provides perfect cover, were routed through Niamey before reaching their final destination in Nigeria.
The modus operandi uncovered by the investigation matches a pattern long documented by regional anti‑drug agencies: using large‑scale legal trade to conceal narcotics. Bales of second‑hand clothes, commonly called “Bocho” in the region, are a massive import and export vector between Togo, Niger, and Nigeria, making them an exceptionally 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 underscores the critical role of community cooperation in the fight against drugs. OCRTIS publicly thanked the residents of Zinder for their tip, which enabled the intervention. In the tense security context of the Sahel, maintaining trust between law enforcement and communities is a strategic priority 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 alert to the activities of trafficking networks. For confidential information, the National Police provides free hotlines: 8383 and 17.
