Senegal police arrest three in Kédougou drug bust near Mali border

Senegal’s security forces have recorded another significant breakthrough in the fight against illicit drugs, with the arrest of three suspects in the southeastern region of Kédougou for drug trafficking and related offenses.

According to the National Police, operatives of the Regional Narcotics Brigade (BRS) of Kédougou, operating under the Central Office for the Repression of Illicit Drug Trafficking (OCRTIS), carried out the arrests on January 20, 2026. The suspects are accused of possessing and trafficking psychotropic substances and “kush,” as well as the illegal sale of pharmaceutical products and the unlawful practice of the pharmacy profession.

The operation was launched following actionable intelligence indicating the existence of a drug trafficking network in the village of Segoto, a locality situated close to the Malian border. After several days of investigation, police identified multiple points of sale involved in the distribution of kush and Tramadol.

A coordinated intervention by law enforcement officers led to the apprehension of the three individuals and the seizure of a large quantity of illicit substances, including 566 tablets of Tramadol and 451 packets of kush. The haul highlights the growing challenge posed by the cross-border movement of narcotics and counterfeit medicines in the region.

All suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue to determine the full scope of the network and identify potential accomplices. Authorities have indicated that further arrests are possible as inquiries progress.

The Senegalese National Police reiterated their commitment to combating drug trafficking and protecting public health and safety. Members of the public are encouraged to provide any useful information by contacting the toll-free police hotline at 800 00 17 00.

Senegal police arrest three suspects in Kédougou near the Mali border, seizing Tramadol tablets and kush in a major drug trafficking crackdown.