(Business in Cameroon) – The Directorate General of Customs in Cameroon has announced that its agents in Douala have seized nearly 1,000 bottles of contraband wine and champagne in two major interceptions conducted under HALCOMI (Halte au Commerce Illicite) III in October 2025.
According to customs, the seizures were carried out by Zone 1 personnel following intensified surveillance in Cameroon’s economic capital to curb the influx of illicit goods.
The first seizure, carried out on 11 October 2025, uncovered 41 bottles of champagne, 82 cartons and 137 bottles of sparkling wine, as well as 798 cartons, two cases and 70 bottles of red wine of various brands. This operation was conducted jointly with the Principal Customs Office of Douala Port 5.
The second operation, executed overnight between 15 and 16 October 2025, led to the confiscation of 329 cartons of red wine labelled Château Barreyres, 85 cartons of Château Ferrande red wine, and 160 pallets of cider vinegar.
While announcing the seizures, the Directorate General of Customs reaffirmed that customs surveillance remains active both at border posts and throughout the national territory, as part of the ongoing effort to protect the local market from illegal trade and counterfeit goods.
Operation HALCOMI III is a flagship anti-smuggling programme spearheaded by the Cameroon Customs Administration. It aims to curb the flow of illicit goods and safeguard national revenue through coordinated monitoring, particularly in maritime and port zones such as Douala.
Mercy Fosoh
