Mozambique’s National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) has intercepted 3.7 tonnes of fentanyl in what authorities describe as one of the country’s largest drug seizures, following an operation at Maputo Airport on 12 June 2026, with the discovery publicly confirmed on 14 June 2026.
The illicit substances were found in the warehouses of a private company, packaged in 50 boxes and falsely declared as “multivitamins.” Laboratory tests later confirmed the cargo contained a highly dangerous synthetic opioid mixture involving fentanyl and denadryl.
SERNIC spokesperson Hilário Lole said there was “no doubt” the case is linked to an international drug trafficking network. He added that the operation uncovered a sophisticated scheme involving recruitment attempts targeting customs officials to facilitate the release of the shipment.
One Mozambican suspect has been arrested, while a Nigerian national, identified as the alleged owner and intended recipient of the shipment, has also been detained. According to authorities, the drugs were initially believed to have originated from Brazil but were ultimately traced to a route originating in India and transiting through Doha before arriving in Maputo.
Investigators say surveillance operations at the airport had been underway after prior intelligence flagged the shipment. Officials intervened before the cargo could be collected, citing the extreme danger posed by fentanyl, which is significantly more potent than heroin, morphine, and cocaine.
SERNIC described the seizure as a major milestone in the fight against narcotics, warning that fentanyl’s powerful effects—including respiratory depression and potential fatal overdose—make it a severe public health threat. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to preventing Mozambique from being used as a transit hub or destination for international drug trafficking networks.