Senegal army destroys 50 hectares of hemp in North Sindian
Senegal's army said its commando battalion had destroyed more than 50 hectares of hemp in northern Sindian near the Gambian border since 7 October 2024, valued at more than 2 billion CFA francs, answering local pleas about trafficking and lost farmland.
Since 7 October 2024, Senegal’s military has conducted an extensive crackdown
on hemp cultivation and illegal logging in northern Sindian’s Djibidione,
Dieye-Djondji, Massaran, Balla Bassene and Niale areas near the Gambian
border.[1]
The operation answers long-standing pleas from residents, as formerly
conflict-displaced areas repopulate and trafficking draws young people away
from school and lawful farming.[1]
Leading the effort, the commando battalion supported by the 25th
Reconnaissance and Support Battalion had already destroyed more than 50
hectares of hemp crops, with an estimated market value of more than 2 billion
CFA francs.[1]
The army said it would eradicate the fields, dismantle armed groups protecting
cannabis farms, apprehend traffickers and restore agricultural stability.[1]
Case data
Every number and detail the sources state, with the sources that state it.
On 30 October 2026 Senegal's navy raided cannabis-growing sites at Boune and Bocko in the Karone Islands, burning fields and seizing 37 bags of cannabis and four 20-litre containers of seeds. No arrests were made as the growers had fled before troops arrived.
Senegal's armed forces said commando troops destroyed seven fields of chanvre indien on 17 October 2026 in North Sindian, south-east of Tandine in Bignona department, as part of border security work in Casamance. No arrests were reported.
Military Zone No. 5 ran a joint security sweep on Salindiyaye in the Karones archipelago on 8 October 2026 and found several chanvre indien fields. The navy base at Ziguinchor and gendarmes took part; no one was arrested and searches continued.
On 25 June 2025 Interior Minister Jean-Baptiste Tine said defence and security forces had destroyed about 400 hectares of cannabis in the Karone Islands of Casamance and seized some 4,000 kg in a two-phase campaign that year; a mid-June phase alone reported 12 arrests.
