West Africa becomes a major cocaine trafficking route
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Citizen Digital
West Africa has become a favoured route for moving cocaine from South America to Europe. This regional development is part of the expansion of cocaine trafficking, according to content published by Citizen Digital.
A four-tonne cocaine seizure, estimated at $317 million, made by Liberian police in July illustrates West Africa’s growing importance in moving drugs between South America and Europe, according to Citizen Digital and AFP. The region is estimated to have accounted for around 30% of the cocaine consumed in Europe in 2025, according to an estimate published in March by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC).
In Liberia, President Joseph Boakai described drug trafficking in August as one of the main threats facing the country, after several major seizures. Former Liberian vice-president Jewel Howard-Taylor was also arrested over her alleged involvement in an international drug trafficking network. In neighbouring Sierra Leone, Dutchman Jos Leijdekkers, wanted in Europe for cocaine trafficking and convicted by the courts, is reportedly operating with the support of senior officials, according to testimony, court documents and law enforcement sources cited by AFP.
