Ouagadougou: Members of a diesel smuggling network have been arrested in Gogo by the local police in collaboration with the community.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the operation, carried out on April 3, 2025, led to the seizure of illegally stored diesel valued at over 9 million CFA francs.
The Gogo district police, with assistance from local residents and Internal Security Forces, acted on an anonymous tip-off about fraudulent fuel storage in a Gogo residence. Police Lieutenant Boukary Yves Pascal Ouédraogo reported that the raid resulted in the arrest of a suspect identified as KH, aged 43, and the confiscation of a significant quantity of diesel.
During interrogation, KH’s information led to the arrest of two more suspects, KS and NI, aged 29 and 32, residing in Gogo and Nagrigré. The operation seized a total of 12,700 litres of diesel stored in various containers, estimated to be worth 9,037,500 CFA francs.
The ongoing investigation uncovered the suspects’ identities and their operational
methods. NI, along with tanker drivers BN, BZ, and KC, face charges of fuel theft, while KH, KS, BS, and several millers from Manga, Gogo, and Bindé are charged with receiving stolen goods.
The investigation revealed two supply sources. The first involved drivers selling diesel from scrapped machinery at a local mine, which was then resold at inflated prices to tricycle drivers and millers. The second source involved Ghanaian hauliers smuggling fuel into the area.
Under the direction of the Manga High Court public prosecutor, five individuals have been detained at the Manga Detention and Correction Center. Additional suspects are still under investigation, with several believed to be in collusion.
Police Lieutenant Ouédraogo highlighted the lure of easy money as the traffickers’ primary motivation and urged the public to avoid such illegal activities. He reminded that fuel trade regulations in the region are dictated by an order from the Governor, emphasizing compliance due to security concerns related to
terrorism. Violators face penalties including confiscation, fines, and imprisonment.
The lieutenant confirmed that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other network members and recover illicit proceeds. He praised public cooperation and provided contact numbers for reporting such activities: 17, 16, 10 10, and 199.