Prepare a mid-term review of the evolution of the operation to combat the fraudulent exit of tropical and agricultural products from the national territory and refine new strategies to deal with the situation: it is around these points that the officials of the Republican police and those of Beninese customs exchanged on Wednesday 03 May 2023. The meeting which took place in the conference room of the General Directorate of Customs was conducted under the control of the two General Directors. May he remind you that the highest state authority, President Patrice Talon, has requested that the Defence and Security Forces join forces to combat effectively this phenomenon which endangers Benin's agricultural and industrial policy. Referring to the instructions of the Supreme Chief of the Armed Forces, the Director General of Customs Mr Alain HINKATI and the Director General of the Republican Police, General Yaya SOUMAILA, have decided to pool the two forces. Two months after this joint initiative, the results are impressive.

In the face of the authorities, the Departmental Directors of the Republican Police and the Regional Directors of the Beninese Customs carried out a report on the operations and seizures made to smugglers. Thousands of tons of Soja, Cajou, agricultural inputs and even means of transport are already in the nets of the security and defence forces to the great satisfaction of the two Directors General. The Director General of Customs took the opportunity to reveal the very encouraging results to put to work some valuable agents who, night and day, conduct patrols to make life difficult for smugglers. However, the Departmental Directors of the Republican Police and the Regional Directors of Benin Customs noted some difficulties they face on the ground. For example, new strategies have been developed to deal with smugglers who sometimes benefit from the complicity of the population.

Alain HINKATI and General SOUMAILA YAYA announce a new meeting very soon to communicate the results of the various strategies implemented on the ground by the Defence and Security Forces.