At Bamako’s Modibo Keïta International Airport (Mail), customs officials uncovered €1,270,000 (approximately 833 million CFA francs) concealed in a passenger’s suitcase during routine checks. The discovery prompted the passenger’s accomplice, equipped with an airport badge, to attempt an escape but was swiftly apprehended by airport police.
The operation was carried out by the Targeting Unit of the Customs Intelligence and Investigations Directorate, a specialized team stationed at the airport. On Monday, November 18, 2024, the unit intercepted two packages containing the concealed cash, carefully wrapped to evade detection.
The passenger, a Malian national, was flagged by the unit for closer inspection. To enhance their chances of slipping past customs, the smuggler enlisted the help of an accomplice with access to restricted areas. However, their plan unraveled when the accomplice’s attempt to flee was foiled, and both individuals were handed over to authorities for further investigation.
This successful operation adds to the growing list of illegal items seized by Mali’s customs agents under Inspector General Amadou Konaté. Recent confiscations include drugs like cocaine and cannabis, counterfeit pharmaceuticals, hazardous substances such as cyanide and mercury, and even expired food products.
The interception highlights the importance of intelligence-driven enforcement. It coincided with the 12th UEMOA Customs Officers Forum, hosted in Mali, which focuses on addressing challenges at fragile borders amidst rising global threats such as terrorism and organized crime.
