Guinea’s customs Director, Moussa Camara, along with his deputy, Macky Diallo, and nine other individuals, were detained on Saturday December 7 following allegations of embezzling over 700 billion Guinean francs (approximately €76.7 million). This announcement was made by Aly Touré, the prosecutor of the Special Court for Financial Offenses (CRIEF), as part of an ongoing investigation into widespread corruption and financial mismanagement within the General Directorate of Customs.
Touré disclosed on Friday that the investigation, focusing on “embezzlement, malfeasance, and corruption,” had uncovered a sophisticated network operating within the customs administration. According to a statement broadcast on national television, this network of customs officers and freight forwarders circumvented the official one-stop payment system to divert significant funds.
“By these means, more than 700 billion Guinean francs were misappropriated, inflicting substantial losses on the state,” the statement detailed.
Following the discovery, Camara, Diallo, and the nine others were charged with a range of offenses, including forgery, corruption, embezzlement of public funds, illicit enrichment, money laundering, and complicity. All the accused have been placed in detention at the Conakry prison as the case progresses.
This high-profile investigation underscores Guinea’s ongoing efforts to tackle corruption and financial crimes within its public institutions. Under the current administration, anti-corruption initiatives have intensified, targeting key sectors of the government where systemic graft has hindered economic progress and undermined public trust.
If convicted, the accused face severe penalties under Guinean law, signaling a potential turning point in the country’s fight against financial impropriety. Meanwhile, the authorities are continuing their probe to determine the full extent of the scheme and whether additional individuals or organizations were involved.
This case, involving one of Guinea’s most vital revenue-generating institutions, has drawn significant public attention, with citizens and civil society groups calling for justice and greater transparency in government operations.