Burkina faso: The National Coordination for the Fight Against Fraud (CNLF) unveiled the results of its recent operation, 'Rewougoul Djinni', presenting seized goods valued at over 63 million FCFA to the press on Wednesday. This operation, named after a Fulfulde expression meaning 'deliverance', highlights the ongoing efforts to combat fraud in the region.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the seized items include 30 tonnes of rice, 4,649 cartons of cigarettes, and 1,250 chickens deemed unfit for consumption. The rice, valued at 12 million FCFA, was discovered in the Patte d'Oie neighborhood, where it was being repackaged into bags labeled with premium brands. The operation revealed that half of the seized rice had already been repackaged, intending to deceive consumers.

The cigarettes, with an estimated worth of 46,500,000 FCFA, were confiscated through two operations. One involved the seizure of 3,700 cartons at a concession in Saaba, while the other intercepted two motorcyclists transporting 949 cartons in the Tanlarghin area, intended for illegal distribution in Ouagadougou.

Additionally, 1,250 chickens imported from a neighboring country were seized on the night of March 9-10, 2026, in the Sapouy road bypass area. These chickens, valued at approximately 5 million FCFA, were intended to be sold for human consumption without undergoing health checks or proper storage.

Dr. Mohamadi Compaor©, the National Coordinator, emphasized that these actions are punishable under article 102 of law 16, which includes financial penalties ranging from 500,000 to 500 million FCFA and prison sentences of 1 to 5 years, alongside product confiscation.

Dr. Compaor© also mentioned the possibility of redirecting the chickens to food banks, provided they are deemed safe for consumption following rigorous testing, in line with directives from higher authorities. He concluded by expressing gratitude to the public for their cooperation, noting that community information is vital in the fight against fraud.