More than 8,700 liters of petroleum products were seized by the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) in the Folon region of northern Côte d'Ivoire. This large-scale operation is part of a strengthened fight against smuggling, exacerbated by the fuel shortage in neighboring Mali.

A Response to the Malian Shortage

The illicit trafficking of petroleum products has increased significantly in recent months in the Folon region, bordering Mali. According to security sources, this surge is directly linked to the fuel shortage plaguing the neighboring country. Smugglers are illegally obtaining supplies within Ivory Coast and reselling the merchandise at inflated prices across the border.

To curb this phenomenon, the prefectural authorities have put in place a reinforced security system at the borders, accompanied by strict regulations concerning the purchase, transport and storage of petroleum products.

Successful Results of a Month of Operations

The efforts of the security forces have already borne fruit, with a series of significant seizures in just over a month:

1. 1,000 litres of diesel intercepted on September 23, 2025 at the Sokoro border post.
2. 6,950 litres of unleaded super gasoline seized on October 23 in Minignan .
3. 750 litres of diesel fuel were discovered on October 30th at the exit of the city.

In total, 8,700 litres of fuel were removed from the illegal circuit.

Determination of Local Authorities

The police commissioner of Minignan, Boris Bogui , welcomed these results, praising the prefectural authorities' determination to dismantle this network. He emphasized that this illegal activity " undermines border security and fuels the parallel economy ."

To involve the public and professionals, an awareness campaign was conducted on October 27, 2025, targeting residents and service station managers. The objective was to remind them of the ban on selling fuel by drumming in the department, in accordance with a prefectural decree.

Judicial investigation underway

All of the seized fuel was handed over to the Regional Directorate of Mines and Energy . This agency immediately notified the prosecutor in Odienné to open a judicial investigation .

The authorities reaffirmed their firm commitment to continuing and intensifying operations throughout the region. The objective is to permanently curb this illicit trade, which threatens stability on the country's northern borders.