New exploit of Benin Customs! The Borgou-Alibori regional anti-fraud service hit a big blow. Referring to the instructions of the Director General of Customs, Mr Alain HINKATI, instructions to ensure security at the borders of Benin and to work to bail out the caisses de l ́état, the disciples of Saint Matthieu succeeded in a great operation. According to the information obtained, Commander Rodrigue ALOFA and his elements managed to get hold of a large shipment of cartridges. A total of 15,000 (15 000) cartridges were intercepted. The traffickers had carefully concealed the cargo of cartridges intercepted in sand carried by a tricycle. But it was without counting the dexterity and flair of the elements of the Director General of Customs.

In this special interview, Commander Rodrigue ALOFA, Head of the Regional Service for Combating Fraud Borgou-Alibori, gives us more details.

Question: Commander, with your teams, you recently led a mission that resulted in the arrest of a large shipment of ammunition. Tell us how this operation took place, what types of ammunition did you recover and what did you do with those involved?

Commander: As part of the fight against customs fraud we have a tactical organisation in all the departments of Borgou and Alibori. Thus, using intelligence, the Regional Anti-Fraud Service of Borgou and Alibori set up a device that allowed it to intercept on Tuesday 14 February 2023 around 1 p.m., at SINAHOU on the Parakou-Djougou axis, an unregistered tricycle, carrying at first sight the sand on which a shovel is laid, coming from Bassila. The driver of the said tricycle refused to stop following the arrest orders of the agents. It followed a race and continued in which the driver fled while abandoning the tricycle and its loading. The tricycle and its contents were brought back to our Beterou checkpoint where a summary search revealed the presence of parcels containing ammunition from rifles carefully hidden under the sand. Immediately the tricycle and its contents were taken to the headquarters of the Borgou and Alibori Regional Directorate in Parakou.

On Wednesday 15 February 2023 and in the presence of a team of the Criminal Brigade, North Parakou antenna, we proceeded to search the cargo. This allowed us to discover fifteen thousand (15 000) rifle cartridges carefully arranged in bags buried in the sand.

The different categories of munitions discovered are as follows:

– 13,500 12-gauge cartridges, RIO REDStar brand

– 1,000 12-gauge cartridges, RIO BUCKSHORT brand,

And 500 26 caliber cartridges, RIO GAME LOAD brand.

As for the fugitive, the investigations are under way to arrest him in order to dismantle this illegal trafficking network.

Question: This operation comes at a time when terrorists continue to attack parts of northern Benin. Does your operation give a boost to the other armed forces that are constantly working to reverse terrorism?

Commander: Sure. In addition to the fiscal and economic activities that make up the bulk of its mission, Benin Customs, through its permanent presence at the borders and throughout the national territory, provides assistance to other administrations. At the security level, customs assist in the fight against cross-border crime and terrorism through the control of the movement of arms and ammunition. Customs monitors grain.

Question: Do you feel that Beninese customs are more and more motivated than ever to defend the country's interests but also to bail out the state funds?

Commander: The various reforms undertaken by the Government in the context of the modernization of Beninese customs are largely bearing fruit. The budgetary performance of customs is proof of this. Last year the customs far exceeded its quota with a realization of more than 560 000 000.000 FCFA despite the global economic context marked by the war in Ukraine. This is the occasion to welcome the management of the Ministry of State for Economy and Finance Mr Romuald Wadagni and that of the Director-General of Customs Alain HINKATI which also motivated all customs officials. We always remain ready to mobilize revenue to support the government in implementing its GAP and the many infrastructure achievements we see in the regions of the country.

Question: Your End Word

Commander: We wish to reassure the Beninese people that Beninese customs are motivated and mobilized in collaboration with other defence and security forces to prevent the illegal movement of weapons and ammunition. We will put an end to acts that disturb people's peace. That is why we call on our fellow citizens to cooperate freely in identifying and depriving them of their harm. We are committed and determined to pursue the outlaws until they are last cut off.