Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali police on Tuesday publicly burned 250 cartons of drugs in Mogadishu after seizing them during an attempted illegal import, authorities said.

Police spokesperson Maj. Abdifitah Adan Hassan told reporters the drugs were confiscated at Mogadishu Port and Aden Adde International Airport following heightened surveillance of suspected smuggling activities. He said the destruction was carried out under an order from the Banadir Regional Court.

“Today, 250 cartons of drugs were burned in public. They were intended to be illegally imported into the country. The court ruled they be destroyed to prevent their danger,” Hassan said.

The spokesperson warned that security agencies are intensifying monitoring and surveillance at all entry points — including ports, airports and border crossings — to deter smuggling attempts. He urged individuals involved in the illegal trade to stop, saying authorities will take strict action.

Somali police have previously foiled several drug smuggling attempts, with Tuesday’s burning underscoring the government’s effort to combat narcotics and protect public health.