Ouagadougou: Administrative and judicial authorities proceeded on Thursday, July 30, to incinerate fraudulent products worth more than 100 million FCFA, seized and deemed unfit for consumption, AIB observed on site.
According to Burkina Information Agency, as part of the fight against fraud, smuggling, and trafficking of illicit products in the Yaadga region, the authorities proceeded to destroy products fraudulently introduced onto the market and deemed dangerous to the health of the population and to the environment.
These products, consisting of cigarette cartons, prohibited pharmaceuticals, bottles of alcohol, drugs, and everyday consumer goods, totaling over 50 tons and valued at over 100 million francs, were incinerated in Ouahigouya. According to the regional authority, represented by the Secretary General of the Yaadga region, Kuilga Albert Zongo, two batches of products were incinerated: expired goods and prohibited items confiscated and sealed by the Ouahigouya High Court. He emphasized that this destruction aimed to protect public health and shield them from the negative impacts of fraud.
The Prosecutor of Faso, at the High Court of Ouahigouya, Aly Benjamin Coulibaly, suggested that this activity complies with a legal requirement of the Code of Criminal Procedure in its article 242-14 and more specifically in paragraph 6 which stipulates that the Prosecutor of Faso has the possibility of proceeding with the destruction of products when he considers that the preservation of these products is dangerous for the community or when the authors of these goods do not come to claim them for a certain time.
According to the Regional Director of Industry, Trade and Crafts of Yaadga, Mahamadi Zore, "the incineration is a word to a certain category of traders to tell them that the department of trade is organized and committed to fighting fraud in all possible places." He urged economic actors to respect regulations and comply with the law instead of seeking unnecessary profits in certain sectors where they may needlessly regret it because those caught being unscrupulous are forced to leave the market.