Cotonou raid dismantles Vodjè crime hub, wanted soldier nicknamed Alòtrò

This week, the Republic of Benin’s Republican Police launched a major crackdown in the heart of Cotonou, targeting a notorious crime hotspot in the Vodjè district. The operation, carried out with precision, led to the dismantling of a long-standing criminal network operating under the radar.

Operation uncovers illicit trafficking in Cotonou’s Vodjè

The targeted intervention resulted in the complete dismantling of a hidden ghetto that served as both a transit point and a consumption site for illegal substances. During the raid, authorities arrested several individuals and seized substantial evidence linked to the criminal operation. Investigations are ongoing to dismantle the full extent of the network and identify all accomplices.

Military personnel suspected in organized crime ring

A particularly alarming development in this case is the active manhunt for a Beninese military officer, codenamed Alòtrò—a nickname inspired by the local margouillat lizard. Investigators suspect the soldier played a central role in facilitating the criminal activities, not as a user but as an enforcer.

According to security sources, the officer was not involved in the ghetto for personal use. Instead, he operated a systematic extortion scheme, regularly collecting payments from dealers in exchange for protection. This alleged protection shielded the traffickers from law enforcement interventions, betraying the trust placed in him as a sworn defender of public safety.

The case underscores the serious threat posed by corruption within security institutions and highlights the relentless efforts of Benin’s law enforcement to root out criminal elements, no matter their affiliations.