Illegal Trade: Customs Cameroon Deepen Crackdown

Customs Cameroon’s Adminis­ tration has launched a major campaign to stop illegal trade and tax fraud in the South Re­ gion. The operation that began Ebolowa on August 31, 2026 targets key business areas along the Southern border, focusing heavily on Kye-Ossi–Ambam– Ebolowa corridor, which connects Cameroon, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea. At the launch ceremony, the team lead, Commander Felix Ekolle during a session with local customs leaders and the Governor of the South Region, Felix Nguele Nguele, warned that fake and smuggled goods especially drinks and frozen items are hurting the economy and putting public health at risk. Edifying the actors on the relevance of this Strong block cam­ paign, Governor Nguele Nguele further stressed that stopping illegal imports is essential to protect local jobs, keep citizens safe, and ensure the state col­ lects needed tax revenue. “Era­ dicating illicit trade and fiscal fraud along strategic transit routes requires an integrated approach that balances regula­ tory enforcement with stakehol­ der engagement,” he said. The Governor added that sustainable solutions must focus on moder­ nizing customs operations, dee­ pening municipal oversight, and encouraging local business com­ pliance to dismantle clandestine supply networks while safeguar­ ding national reven...