Tunisian Customs Seize Record Amounts of Narcotics in 2025
The Tunisian Customs announced that it has seized over 13 million pills of narcotics, 80 kilograms of cocaine, and 760 kilograms of cannabis in 2025, a record compared to the previous year. Colonel Chokri Jebri, spokesperson for the Customs, highlighted the importance of the role played by customs agents in all regions of the country in the fight against drug trafficking. These results are the fruit of targeted operations, particularly in the ports of Radès and La Goulette, at Tunis-Carthage airport, as well as in Sfax, where over 43 kilograms of cocaine were intercepted. According to Colonel Jebri, the increase in seizures can be explained by two factors: the increase in demand for these substances and the preparation and vigilance of customs agents. The figures for 2024 were significantly lower: 33 kilograms of cocaine, 257 kilograms of cannabis, and approximately 1.1 million pills of narcotics had been seized at the time. The Tunisian Customs have also been strengthened logistically, with the acquisition of new X-ray detection equipment, sniffer dogs, and the recruitment of new agents and officers. Land and sea border crossings remain the primary locations for seizures, with traffickers using routes such as Ras Jedir, the ports of Radès and La Goulette, as well as the border posts of Rehiba and Meloula. Colonel Jebri finally specified that traffickers are using sophisticated methods of concealment, including hiding caches in vehicles, personal items, food, and household appliances, making the task of customs agents more challenging. He praised the constant efforts of the Customs units in the fight against this type of crime.
