A Blow to Transnational Tramadol Trafficking

Chad’s Illegal Drug Trade Contributes to Regional Insecurity

A Major Blow to Transnational Tramadol Trafficking Networks

In a significant development, 10 people, including high-ranking security and intelligence officials in Chad, have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a transnational tramadol trafficking network. This case marks an unprecedented scope and level of involvement by senior officials in Chad’s history.

The Case Unfolds

In January 2020, Chadian customs seized a shipment of 246 boxes (approximately 47kg) of tramadol worth XAF12.3 billion (around €18.8 million), which was coming from India via Douala, Cameroon, and bound for Libya. This incident highlighted the complexly insecure environment in Chad, with latent conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR), Boko Haram in the west, community conflicts on the border with Sudan, and a volatile situation in southern Libya.

The Extent of Smuggling Activities

Apart from tramadol, other smuggling activities involve arms, hashish, stolen vehicles, and humans. Despite the prominent members of the network being behind bars, fighting drug trafficking will be long and arduous due to the involvement of senior officials. The Cotonou road, one of the major trafficking routes into Chad, is now under surveillance, but traffickers have changed routes and increased operations.

Corridors for Trafficking

Chad’s proximity to Libya has made it a corridor for various types of trafficking due to the Libyan conflict. The discovery of gold deposits in northern Chad has accentuated conflict and insecurity dynamics by attracting actors from different backgrounds, including armed gangs eager to profit from the illicit exploitation and trafficking of this resource.

Addressing Trafficking in Chad

Addressing trafficking in Chad must begin within the state. Court documents reveal a vast transnational network with strong Chadian connections and huge sums of money circulating between those involved in trafficking. This is sometimes used in attempts to corrupt the judiciary and security environment.

Recommendations for Action

To restore the integrity of the security and intelligence environment, agents who use their positions to organize trafficking should be held accountable.
The capacity of the judiciary should be strengthened to better track down and try traffickers.
Asset forfeiture of those involved in trafficking could be effective in this regard.
An intergovernmental institution such as Interpol, but also existing regional mechanisms such as ANIF and GABAC, should be reinforced to facilitate transnational cooperation.

Conclusion

The tramadol trial has set a precedent, but much remains to be done to clean up the system once and for all. It is essential to continue the work to restore the integrity of the security and intelligence environment in Chad and curb the illicit drug trade that contributes to regional insecurity. By Remadji Hoinathy, Senior Researcher, ISS Regional Office for West Africa, the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin. This article was produced with support from the government of the Netherlands and the UK Conflict, Stability and Security Fund. In South Africa, Daily Maverick has exclusive rights to re-publish ISS Today articles. For media based outside South Africa and queries about our re-publishing policy email us.