Burkina Faso: 1,050 Cartons Of Cigarettes Worth Over $17,535 Seized In Pâ

Burkina Faso authorities have seized 1,050 cartons of smuggled “SIR” brand cigarettes, totalling 10,500 packets (210,000 cigarette sticks) near Pâ on the Ouagadougou-Bobo-Dioulasso road.

The seizure, valued at 10,500,000 FCFA ($17,535), occurred overnight from November 5 to 6, 2024.

The operation was carried out by the Western Investigation and Research Brigade (BERO) under the National Coordination for the Fight against Fraud.

The National Coordination for the Fight against Fraud has recently extended its operations to more areas across Burkina Faso. The organisation aims to combat fraud nationwide and bolster state authority.

This crackdown, following a series of awareness campaigns, marks an intensified phase in the agency’s efforts to combat fraud across the country.

Authorities said they are expanding their operations beyond familiar areas to cover more regions in Burkina Faso. The agency encouraged public cooperation in reporting fraud and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding fair competition and economic stability in the country.

Recall that the Burkina Faso authorities, in August, incinerated 430 cartons of smuggled “Sir” brand cigarettes, valued at 139 million FCFA ($231,600).

The public prosecutor of the High Court of Léo, Ahmed Ouattara, had explained that smuggling weighs down the Burkinabe national economy and distorts competition. He urged the public to report any suspicious activity and alerted consumers of smuggled products to get rid of such products.

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