In a decisive move to curb the growing circulation of illicit substances, the Governor of Cameroon’s South West Region, Bernard Okalia Bilai, has ordered intensified controls on the trafficking and consumption of drugs and contraband beverages across the region.
In an official correspondence addressed to top security and administrative authorities including the Colonel Commanding the Gendarmerie Legion, the Regional Delegate for National Security, and the Chief of Sector for Customs, the governor on Friday March 27, 2026, called for urgent and coordinated action to halt the spread of harmful products.
The directive follows what authorities describe as “recurrent reports” highlighting the widespread availability and use of substances such as tramadol and Indian hemp, alongside unauthorized alcoholic and stimulant drinks like Wake Up, Bullet, Odogu Bitters, Balamose, and Action Bitters.
Governor Okalia Bilai emphasized the need for strict preventive measures at entry points into the South West Region, urging officials to block the inflow of these products. He further instructed security forces to intensify field operations aimed at identifying, seizing, and destroying such items, in accordance with existing regulations.
“These products constitute a serious public health risk,” the governor noted, pointing particularly to their impact on schoolchildren and vulnerable populations who may be unaware of their dangers.
The announcement has sparked wider public debate about enforcement gaps and regional spillover effects. Some observers warn that increased crackdowns in the South West could redirect the flow of contraband into neighboring areas, notably the North West Region.
Concerns have also been raised about porous entry routes, including border zones such as Ekok, which are often cited as key transit points for illicit goods.
Others argue that the issue requires a broader, nationwide response. Calls are mounting for central authorities to implement a uniform ban and strengthen enforcement mechanisms across all regions, as similar substances reportedly remain accessible in major cities, including Anglophone communities in Yaoundé.
The situation also draws parallels with previous regulatory efforts, such as the ban on shisha, which critics say remains widely available despite official restrictions raising questions about the effectiveness of enforcement strategies.
As regional authorities begin implementing the governor’s directives, attention will likely turn to the practical challenges of enforcement, inter-regional coordination, and the need for sustained national policy action to address the root causes of the illicit trade.
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