A recent large-scale operation by the Mokolo gendarmerie company in the village of Moudji, Bourha District, Mayo-Tsanaga Division, uncovered a vast field of cannabis, leading to multiple arrests and the seizure of a significant quantity of the illicit crop.
The fight against illegal cannabis cultivation has intensified in Cameroon’s Far North region, with security forces stepping up crackdowns on growers and traffickers. A recent large-scale operation by the Mokolo gendarmerie company in the village of Moudji, Bourha District, Mayo-Tsanaga Division, uncovered a vast field of cannabis, leading to multiple arrests and the seizure of a significant quantity of the illicit crop.
According to security sources, three suspects believed to be behind the cultivation were taken into custody and are currently being interrogated at the mokolo Gendarmerie headquarters where investigations are ongoing to dismantle possible networks involved in the distribution of cannabis across the region.
Authorities say the operation, described as a “punch action,” is part of a wider strategy to combat the cultivation and trafficking of cannabis in border zones where such illegal activities have long thrived. The region’s porous frontiers and difficult terrain are believed to facilitate the movement of traffickers, complicating enforcement efforts. Security experts highlight that cannabis production in the Far North is not only a criminal act but also a threat to public health and social stability.
Local youths are said to be the most vulnerable, with increasing cases of drug abuse reported in recent years. “It is not just about uprooting plants; it is about saving lives and protecting future generations from addiction,” a gendarmerie officer involved in the operation explained. The government has repeatedly stressed its zero-tolerance stance on drug-related crimes. Over the past five years, several similar operations have been conducted in the northern regions, with hundreds of kilograms of cannabis seized and dozens of traffickers prosecuted.
Authorities also insist that dismantling cannabis fields contributes to the wider fight against cross-border criminality, including smuggling and terrorism financing. For residents of Bourha District, the recent operation is both a relief and a reminder of the scale of the problem. Local community leaders have expressed support for the crackdown but are also calling for preventive measures, including awareness campaigns and support for alternative livelihoods for farmers tempted by the lucrative drug trade. As the investigation continues, security forces reaffirm their determination to maintain pressure on traffickers and growers, ensuring that the Far North region is no longer a safe haven for illegal cannabis cultivation.
By Saju LINDA
