Benin's Customs Territory Surveillance Office (BSTD), working alongside the Republican Police, conducted two operations targeting suspected smuggling networks over the past month.

The first operation took place on 23 September in the Ayédon neighbourhood of Glazoué, in the Collines Department. Officers raided a private property allegedly being used as an illegal pharmaceutical storage facility. The search uncovered nearly two tonnes of suspected counterfeit medicines stored in several rooms.

The second operation took place on 22 October along the Balanka road in Bassila, in the Donga Department. Customs officers intercepted two trucks suspected of transporting fraudulently imported merchandise after conducting intelligence-led surveillance.

According to reports, officers tracked the movement of the vehicles after receiving information about a suspicious convoy arriving from Togo. Police assistance also helped investigators locate additional goods connected to the operation.

Authorities are intensifying efforts to combat illegal trade beyond traditional border checkpoints, focusing on suspected storage facilities, secondary transport routes and distribution networks.

The seizure of pharmaceutical products is particularly significant because medicines entering informal markets without proper quality controls can expose consumers to serious health risks.

The operations demonstrate Benin's growing emphasis on intelligence gathering and cooperation between customs officers and security forces.

Further investigations will be important in identifying those responsible for the suspected smuggling activities and preventing similar operations in the future.