Authorities in Guinea-Bissau have made a record-breaking seizure of 2.63 tonnes of cocaine at the country’s capital, Bissau, marking the largest drug bust in the nation’s history. This monumental operation, dubbed “Operation Landing,” took place at the Osvaldo Vieira International Airport, a location that has long been used as a transit point in global drug trafficking networks.
The Operation
The massive drug haul was discovered aboard a plane that had arrived from Venezuela, highlighting the West African nation’s ongoing role as a key conduit for narcotics being trafficked to Europe. Authorities, with assistance from international law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre–Narcotics (MAOC-N), carried out the operation(
The Star).
Local media reported that 78 bales of cocaine were found during the raid, an unprecedented amount for Guinea-Bissau, a country often referred to as a “narco-state” due to its deep-seated problems with drug smuggling. Five individuals were taken into custody, including the pilot and crew members from Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil (The Star).
International Cooperation
The operation underscored the importance of international cooperation in tackling the flow of illegal drugs through West Africa. Over the years, Guinea-Bissau has been plagued by weak governance, political instability, and repeated coups, which have made the country vulnerable to criminal organizations. Since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, the country has struggled to establish effective state institutions, creating an environment where drug trafficking can thrive.
This latest bust follows the conviction of the son of Guinea-Bissau’s ex-president earlier in 2024 for leading an international heroin trafficking ring, which further emphasized the entrenched nature of drug-related corruption in the country (The Star).
Global Impact of Drug Trafficking in West Africa
West Africa has become a significant transit point for cocaine being shipped from Latin America to Europe, with countries like Guinea-Bissau playing a central role due to their porous borders and weak law enforcement capabilities. According to the United Nations, the region is a hub for international drug cartels, who exploit its lack of infrastructure and oversight.
The seizure of such a large amount of cocaine serves as a critical blow to the trafficking networks operating in the region. Authorities are continuing their investigations and are working to dismantle the entire network associated with this operation (The Star).
Conclusion
The seizure of 2.63 tonnes of cocaine represents a major victory in the fight against drug trafficking in Guinea-Bissau and West Africa. However, it also highlights the ongoing challenges the region faces in combating organized crime. International cooperation will remain crucial in preventing further incidents and tackling the root causes of instability that allow these criminal enterprises to flourish.
