North Africa: Tunisia Sees Sharp Rise in Cocaine Seizures Amid Growing Trafficking Routes Across North Africa

What the report says

Tunisia has seen a steady rise in cocaine seizures in recent years, according to a report published by Tunis Afrique Presse and distributed by AllAfrica. The article says customs and security operations intercepted more than 101 kilograms of cocaine in the first nine months of 2026, compared with 94 kilograms in all of 2025 and 33 kilograms in 2024. Interior Ministry official Mohamed Ali Chaïbi said the amount seized has grown sharply over the past decade, reflecting a broader trafficking challenge.

The report links the trend to Tunisia’s position on North African trafficking routes, especially along the 460-kilometer border with Libya. It cites United Nations material describing Libya as an increasingly important hub for drug transit, storage and distribution, with cocaine moving through the region by sea and land. Tunisian authorities have also repeatedly reported seizures at the Ras Jedir crossing, including a major interception in February 2026.

The article adds that cocaine may also reach Tunisia through a “reverse flow” from European ports such as Marseille and Genoa, arriving in Tunisian ports on ferries and cargo transport. Some of the drug is believed to supply Tunisia’s domestic market, while some is redistributed to neighboring countries. Officials cited in the report say the high local street value of cocaine could attract criminal networks, making international cooperation and information-sharing with neighboring states increasingly important.