Police in Niger have seized their biggest-ever haul of cocaine - from the mayor of a town in a remote desert region, officials are quoted by AFP news agency as saying.
The mayor of Fachi and his driver were arrested as they were travelling towards the border with Libya in a state-owned vehicle allegedly packed with 214kg (471 pounds) of cocaine.
The drugs, and two detained men, were shown to the media following the operation on Sunday.
"It's the first time that our country has seized such a big quantity of cocaine," Niger's anti-drug agency spokeswoman Nana Aichatou Ousmane Bakoshe said, AFP reports.
She added that the cocaine's final destination was Europe, where its street value was estimated to be more than $19m (£14m).
Fachi is an oasis in the heart of the Tenere desert, more than 1,600km (1,000 miles) from the capital Niamey. Its economy revolves around trading in dates and salt.
Latest Stories
-
ZEN Petroleum supports Tse-Addo Future Leaders School
29 mins -
NPP must win back Adentan seat in 2024 polls – Obeng Fosu
45 mins -
PPA Clarification: The dark side of the World Bank’s ‘giveaways’ in Ghana by Bright Simons
2 hours -
Blinken says China helping fuel Russian threat to Ukraine
3 hours -
MHA declares May as Purple Month for Mental Health Awareness
3 hours -
WAEC arrests former headmaster over illegal students registration
3 hours -
MeToo founder Tarana Burke defiant after Harvey Weinstein ruling
3 hours -
Be alert, insist on decent messages – Dwumfour tells media
3 hours -
Father jailed 10 years for burning daughter’s genitals with hot cutlasses
4 hours -
I aim to help Ghana produce world-class athletes – Asamoah Gyan
4 hours -
Ashanti Regional Minister alleges sabotage in electricity supply
4 hours -
2024 Elections: Dampare urges Ghanaians to prioritise patriotism and display maturity
4 hours -
‘Let it rot’ campaign hits fish prices in Egypt
4 hours -
Otumfuo chalks 25 years on Golden Stool today
4 hours -
Saudi could get first Miss Universe contestant this year
4 hours