Mogadishu, Somalia – Last week, Somali police carried out the public destruction of one of the country’s largest seized drug consignments, setting fire to a cache of narcotics near Gubadley, on the outskirts of the capital.
The burning followed a major bust that security agencies say was linked to a businessman accused of diverting public funds to import narcotics, khat, and other prohibited substances. Authorities did not disclose the full identity of the suspect, but confirmed that investigations are underway to establish the scale of his network and whether officials colluded in the illicit trade.
Witnesses reported that the blaze lit up the skies as security personnel oversaw the disposal of drugs worth millions of dollars on the black market. Officials described the seizure as a critical step in curbing the flow of harmful substances into the country, which they say fuels crime and undermines public health.
Police spokesperson Major Abdifatah Adan warned that the state will intensify its crackdown on narcotics traffickers, especially those exploiting government resources to finance the trade.
“This consignment is a clear sign that drug networks are becoming bolder. Anyone using state funds or public institutions to poison our youth will face the full force of the law,” he said.
The incident has sparked renewed debate over corruption and the misuse of government revenue, with civil society groups urging authorities to close loopholes that allow public money to be diverted into criminal enterprises.
Somalia, already struggling with insecurity and economic challenges, has witnessed a steady rise in drug trafficking in recent years. Security experts warn that organized criminal groups are increasingly overlapping with extremist financing networks, complicating the government’s stabilization efforts.
Police said more operations targeting supply chains are planned in the coming weeks, as part of a broader campaign to protect Somali communities from the devastating effects of narcotics.