GRAD seizes 25.1 kg of cannabis at Grand-Bassam, arrests two
The anti-drug unit of the Autonomous Port of Abidjan seized 25.10 kg of cannabis in Grand-Bassam on 22 October 2026 and arrested two people, who were held for investigation. The operation was part of Opération Épervier Spécial.
Officers of the Groupe de répression anti-drogue (GRAD) of the Autonomous Port of Abidjan seized25.10 kg of cannabis at Grand-Bassam on Thursday 22 October 2026.[1][2]They arrested two people,
who were placed in garde à vue, French for police custody, for the investigation.[1][2]
The operation was carried out under Opération Épervier Spécial, a police drive against drug
trafficking and the movement of illicit substances.[2]Investigators were to establish where the
cannabis came from, where it was going and whether the two belonged to a wider network.[1][2]
L’Avenir reported that the GRAD had carried out a series of operations since 1 October and had also
destroyed ten fumoirs, drug-smoking spots, that had been reoccupied after earlier raids.[1]
Case data
Every number and detail the sources state, with the sources that state it.
Arrested
2
Cannabis
25.1 kg
Agency type
Police
Cannabis
Herbal cannabis (25.1 kg)
Activity
Trafficking
Setting
Port or sea
Case stage
Under investigation
Sources
L'Avenirlavenir.ciFRTrafic de drogue : Le GRAD du port saisit plus de 25 kg de cannabis et interpelle deux individus
Neither report says where in Grand-Bassam the seizure was made or whether the two suspects were later charged.
The two outlets describe the month's arrest count differently; L'Avenir says five people were arrested and five others brought before the courts, while Ivoire Matin says five were arrested, all of them brought before the courts.
Police seized 160.5 kg of cannabis in 160 blocks from a studio in Bimbresso, Songon, on 3 November 2026 and arrested two men. The suspects and drugs were handed to the anti-drug police, who are continuing the investigation.
Ivory Coast's anti-drug units arrested 152 people and destroyed 131 fumoirs, drug-smoking rooms, during Operation Vacances sécurisées 11, the 2026 school-holiday security drive. The prefect of police said the operation seized 774.075 kg of cannabis; he gave the results at Bingerville on 29 October 2026, as he launched its successor, Épervier 12.
GRAD officers arrested two people at Mondoukou on 15 October 2026, seizing 53.003 kg of cannabis and 4,808 diverted medicine tablets while destroying seven drug-use dens. The haul was also presented as the unit's cumulative result for 1 to 15 October under Opération Épervier Spécial.
On the night of 12 October 2026 the Aboisso anti-drug unit stopped two ride-hail cars in Grand-Bassam's Quartier France and found 148 kg of cannabis in four parcels. Three men, aged 33, 36 and 47, were arrested. The Grand-Bassam prosecutor was informed.
