Banfora: Police Commissioner Ouattara Diakalya, Central Police Commissioner of the city of Banfora, held a press conference on Wednesday during which he announced the dismantling of a network trafficking and marketing foreign-origin beverages fraudulently brought into the national territory. This operation, carried out as part of the fight against smuggling and the protection of the national economy, resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of beverages intended for resale in the province of L©raba.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the incident occurred on the night of June 4, 2026, at approximately 9:00 PM on regional road number 21, which connects Banfora to Sindou. During a routine, reinforced patrol on the main access roads to the city, police officers spotted a tricycle transporting several crates of beverages heading towards Wolonkoto. Upon seeing the police, the driver reportedly attempted to evade detection. After a chase, officers managed to apprehend him and impound the tricycle for further investigation.
The investigation revealed that the transported beverages were smuggled. Bearing the foreign brand “Bock,” they were packaged in crates belonging to the Beverage Distribution Company (SODIBO) for transport and resale at a roadside bar in Wonlonkoto. According to initial findings, the suspect obtained the supplies from a neighboring country before reselling the products on the local market without paying the required taxes. The seized loot consists of 60 crates containing 720 bottles of beverages. The market value of this shipment is estimated at 504,000 FCFA.
Through this operation, the Central Police Commissioner of Banfora reaffirmed the commitment of his services to the fight against fraud, smuggling, and all illicit activities that harm the national economy. He also praised the cooperation of the population, and invited them to continue their contribution to security by reporting any suspicious behavior and activity to the emergency numbers 17, 1010, and 16.
This seizure demonstrates the vigilance of the security forces and their determination to combat fraudulent circuits that deprive the State of significant resources and create unfair competition in the national market.