Briefing Paper

Illicit Drug Trading in Dakar Dimensions and Intersections with Governance

The authors of this opinion piece provided a thorough analysis of the situation with regards to illegal drugs in Senegal’s capital, Dakar. The paper focuses on cannibis, cocaine and heroine as well as counterfeit pharmaceutical products. The extent of cultivation is discussed, patterns of consumption, international trafficking methods and routes, the role of women, police action and the impact of trafficking on governance. It is concluded that while there is no evidence that hard drugs are manufactured in Dakar and there are insufficient indicators for Dakar being a drug trafficking hub, it is evident that crime networks are interested in exploiting the city for the channelling of drugs to other parts of the world.