Kédougou: Nearly 9 tons of unfit-for-consumption products incinerated, worth 570 million FCFA

Administrative authorities and defense and security forces incinerated nearly 9 tons of seized products or products declared unfit for consumption. This large-scale operation aimed to combat fraud, drug trafficking, and the circulation of products dangerous to public health.

In Kédougou, authorities have taken a further step in the fight against fraud and the circulation of products unfit for consumption. Nearly 9 tons of seized goods were incinerated during an official ceremony presided over by the regional governor, Mariama Traoré.

The destroyed products consisted mainly of expired food, drugs, cannabis, and cigarettes. The total value of the incinerated products is estimated at 570 million CFA francs.

A strong signal against fraud networks

This operation is the result of actions carried out by the defense and security forces as part of the fight against trafficking and the circulation of illicit or dangerous products. For the governor of Kédougou, this ceremony holds particular significance.

"This is a very important ceremony insofar as it represents the combined efforts of the defense and security forces," said Mariama Traoré, before paying them a strong tribute for the work accomplished.

According to her, the interventions of the security services made it possible to prevent these products from ending up on the markets and, consequently, in the hands of consumers.

"It is thanks to them that these products were unable to penetrate the market," she stressed.

Protecting public health and health security

Beyond the destruction of seized products, the operation also aims to protect populations against the risks associated with consuming expired or non-compliant food, as well as to combat narcotics and products resulting from fraud.

The governor believes that incineration contributes to several objectives: combating the circulation and consumption of products unfit for consumption, preserving public health and food safety, but also fighting fraud.

"In more ways than one, this is a very important ceremony," she insisted.

The administration mobilized

The ceremony brought together several actors involved in the fight against these phenomena, including the defense and security forces, the public prosecutor, and the prefect of the Kédougou department.

For the head of the regional executive, this mobilization reflects the determination of the public authorities to maintain pressure on offenders.

"This is a strong signal we are sending to offenders to show them that the entire administration is committed," said Mariama Traoré.

The governor thus warns that the authorities do not intend to relax their efforts in this fight: "The entire administration is committed and will not negotiate in this fight against the circulation and consumption of products unfit for consumption."

With this operation involving nearly 9 tonnes of products with an estimated value of 570 million FCFA, the authorities of Kédougou intend to strengthen prevention and repression in order to protect the population and dry up the circuits of fraud and trafficking in the region.