Sahel Edition

Mali’s Airports Are Battling a Flow of Cocaine

Posted On 30 July 2025

Number of times this article was read : 389

Mali’s airports, from the bustling hub in Bamako to smaller regional ones, have become a key front in the battle against the flood of cocaine pouring into West Africa. While international help and modern tools like AI and trained dogs have led to some big busts, things aren’t easy. The country’s anti-drug teams are up against a lot, from tricky logistics and not enough staff to clever criminal groups who are always changing their game. This whole effort is made even tougher by the fact that some armed groups in the region might be using drug money to fund their activities. Still, Mali is determined to turn its airports into strongholds against international crime, with plans to bring more technology and resources to the fight.

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