Customs, Navy join forces to combat illicit maritime trafficking.

Officials said the meeting was held on the instructions of the Director General of Customs, Edwin Fongod Nuvaga, with goal to strengthen cooperation and intensify efforts against illicit trade.

It also aimed at improving coordination, intelligence-sharing and joint action against illicit trafficking in the maritime sector.

It was attended by a delegation from Zone I of Operation HALCOMI IV, Halt to Illicit Trade led by its Coordinator, Elvis Manga. He was accompanied by the Chief of Operations, Captain Lawin Meka. Also present was the Navy Liaison Officer, Captain Ardant Epoh Mbappe. 

The Customs Department said the main objective of the meeting was to exchange with the Commander of the Douala Naval Base and define a framework for optimal surveillance of the waters surrounding the economic capital.

Officials of the Douala Naval Base expressed readiness to provide logistical and tactical support to Customs personnel to ensure the safe exercise of their duty at the level of the sea. 

The talks fall within the partnership sealed in August 2015 between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Defense, to facilitate the operational deployment of customs personnel in maritime, river and lake areas with the help of navy officers.

The agreement also aimed at strengthening national security through joint action against asymmetric threats, combating illicit trade, smuggling, tax fraud and organised crime in territorial waters; and protecting the country’s maritime economic space through the support of the Navy during customs operations.

At the end of the exchange, officials announced preparations for joint patrols to be carried out in the days ahead in the South West Region.

This will witness a working session of the Zone I of Operation HALCOMI IV with the Commander of the Limbe Naval Base, the Commander of the SONARA Special Protection Company, CSPS, and the Commander of Compagnie des Palmeurs de Combat, COPALCO.

According to reports, maritime authorities have continued to strengthen surveillance and enforcement operations along the coastline. 

In recent months, the Navy has reported several operations targeting maritime smuggling, including the seizures of large quantities of illicit fuel off Limbe.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3924 of Tuesday September 29, 2026