BAMAKO, June 27 (Xinhua) -- More than 128 tons of narcotics were incinerated on Thursday in Mali as part of the observance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Central Office for Narcotics Control (OCS) announced on Friday.
The incinerated substances were seized across Malian territory between June 27, 2024, and June 26, 2025, and included psychotropic drugs, counterfeit medicines, hookah devices, and drug-related accessories, the OCS said in a press release.
The market value of these substances is estimated in the tens of billions of CFA francs (10 billion CFA francs is approximately 17.8 million U.S. dollars), the statement added.
"This incineration operation aims to show the public that these dangerous substances can only be destroyed through incineration. They are burned to protect the health of our population from the harmful effects of their consumption," OCS Director Fousseny Keita was quoted in the statement.
"Mali is considered a transit country for narcotics and psychotropic substances," he noted, expressing the regret that much of this trafficking is carried out by Malians, most of whom are young people aged between 15 and 45.
