The regional directorate of the Ministry of Commerce in Haut-Sassandra has dealt a resounding blow to commercial fraud networks. During the period 2024-2025, more than 40 tons of unfit and counterfeit products were seized in the region's markets.

These dangerous goods – consisting in particular of spoiled dairy products, non-compliant alcoholic beverages, counterfeit oil cans, and other prohibited goods – will be destroyed by incineration.

🔥 Public incineration to prevent reintroduction

The incineration of these stocks will take place on Thursday, December 18, 2025 , in the Daloa industrial zone, near the former UNOCI site. This destruction is being carried out to prevent any attempt to reintroduce the products into the commercial market.

In total, 43 tonnes of fraudulent goods were intercepted, representing an estimated value of approximately 39 million CFA francs .

🗣️ Firmness and a call for citizen vigilance

Mr. N'cho Beda, regional director of Commerce for Haut-Sassandra, praised the "rigorous work" of his colleagues, stressing that this seizure made it possible to remove from the market products that were "extremely dangerous to the health of the population" .

He pointed out that the end-of-year period is particularly sensitive, as "unscrupulous traders" try to circumvent vigilance to sell poor quality or counterfeit products.

1. Combating fraud: The operation demonstrates the authorities' firmness in the face of practices that jeopardize public health and food safety.
2. Encouragement: The director congratulated his teams for their commitment, bravery, and rigor , emphasizing that they resisted any attempt at corruption.

For the director, the effectiveness of this fight also depends on the collaboration of everyone: "I invite every resident of the Haut-Sassandra region to help us by denouncing the traffickers and sellers of these products that are dangerous to human health," he urged.

In conclusion, he reaffirmed the ministry's mission to ensure food security and called on the public and economic operators to be more vigilant . "Together, we can be strong in this fight," he concluded.