Anti-Smuggling Operation Seizes 69 Cartons of Wine in Ebolowa Ahead of National Campaign

Cameroon customs officers seized 69 cartons of Perlado red wine from a vehicle in Ebolowa, just three days before the launch of a national campaign against illicit trade in sensitive products.

The Ebolowa Mobile Customs Brigade intercepted the passenger vehicle during the night of Aug. 28, 2026. It had come from Kyé-Ossi, a border town described as a major trafficking hub. Officers found the wine carefully hidden in the rear trunk and beneath the seats.

The shipment carried no customs tax stamp. The stamp is presented not as a mere formality, but as proof that a product entered the legal distribution system, passed sanitary controls and generated the required duties. Without it, consumers may face potentially adulterated drinks, while the state loses revenue and legal distributors face unfair competition.

The timing has drawn attention because the customs operation preceded a nationwide awareness campaign scheduled for Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 in the Southern Customs Sector I. The campaign will cover beers, wines, spirits, champagne and juices, and will remind operators about the stamp requirement and penalties. Consumers will also be encouraged to check for the stamp before buying.