Senegalese border police intercepted a major shipment of smuggled explosives during a nighttime operation near the border with Mali, highlighting growing security concerns linked to illegal gold mining activities in the region.
Officers from the Diyabougou border police station, operating under the Special Police Station of Kidira in eastern Senegal, seized 660 explosive sticks and 1,000 meters of detonating cord during the operation carried out between May 16 and 17. According to police, the raid began around 3:30 a.m. and targeted suspected cross-border trafficking routes frequently used to transport illicit materials.
Authorities said the suspect, a foreign national riding a blue “Vainqueur” motorcycle, abandoned the explosives and fled into Malian territory after spotting security forces.
Investigators believe the materials were destined for the village of Diyabougou, where they were allegedly intended for illegal gold mining operations involving underground blasting.
The seized cargo and motorcycle have been impounded as investigations continue, while security forces intensify efforts to track down the suspect and curb trafficking networks operating along the porous Senegal-Mali border.
