Tunisian Customs: “Record” results in the fight against narcotics in 2025

Tunisian Customs announces an exceptional year in the fight against drug trafficking. The spokesperson for the General Directorate of Customs, Colonel-Major Chokri Jabri, affirmed, Wednesday, December 10, 2025, that customs units “have achieved record and unprecedented results” in the fight against drug smuggling, in all regions of the country.

Speaking at a scientific seminar dedicated to the role of customs in the fight against drug trafficking, organized on the occasion of the 69th anniversary of Customs Day, Jebri explained that the choice of this theme “responds to the seriousness of this threat which affects families, youth and future generations”, especially as trafficking networks have considerably perfected their methods and means of concealment.

According to the data presented, seizures experienced a notable increase compared to the previous year. Customs units intercepted more than 13 million narcotics tablets, more than 80 kg of cocaine and around 760 kg of cannabis. Several operations described as “major” were carried out at different crossing points, notably the ports of Radès and La Goulette, the border posts of Ras Jedir, Dhehiba and Melloula, as well as at the Tunis-Carthage airport. The Sfax brigade alone seized more than 43 kg of cocaine.

The spokesperson also highlighted the investments made in recent years to strengthen the technical capacities of customs, citing scanners, specialized dogs, digital equipment and the continued strengthening of agent training. These tools have made it possible to detect particularly sophisticated caches within vehicles, goods and cargo. “However, the human element remains at the heart of security action,” he said, praising the professionalism and sense of duty of the agents.

“Relentless War”

Jebri also attributed the increase in seizures to an increase in demand and consumption of drugs, but also to the directives of the President of the Republic, who called for waging a “relentless war” against trafficking networks. He recalled that the Ministry of Finance and the General Directorate of Customs have mobilized all the human and logistical resources necessary to implement this strategy.

While intensifying the fight against smuggling, customs continues its economic and fiscal missions: control of import and export flows, facilitation of services intended for Tunisians abroad and acceleration of the digitalization of procedures. “Our security efforts are not to the detriment of our other missions,” assured the colonel-major.

He finally affirmed that Tunisian Customs will continue to strengthen its presence on the ground, modernize its equipment and develop the skills of its teams in order to protect the country against the dangers linked to drugs and preserve the health and safety of society. Jebri praised the “exceptional efforts” of the agents and the “honorable results” recorded this year.