Tobacco industry, smuggling, organized crime and terrorism in Mali

March 2, 2021

Par: National Committee Against Smoking

Dernière mise à jour: March 2, 2021

Temps de lecture: 5 minutes

Industrie du tabac, contrebande, criminalité organisée et terrorisme au Mali

An investigative work carried out by an international network of journalists sheds light on the involvement of multinationals British American Tobacco (BAT) and Imperial Brands in contraband in West Africa, particularly in Mali.[1].

Profits from the illicit tobacco trade in Africa are fueling conflicts in northern Mali, notably by financing terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State as well as armed militias. In this context, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a group of investigative journalists from around the world, was able to demonstrate that the majority of the billions of cigarettes in circulation in this war zone came out of the factories of the manufacturer BAT, and were distributed with the support of Imperial Brands throughout the country, under the control and for the benefit of armed and jihadist groups.

A bundle of evidence against cigarette companies

OCCRP’s investigation obtained confidential documents, analyzed the company’s business data, and conducted interviews with local insurgents, former BAT employees, experts, and policymakers. According to the journalists, the tobacco company deliberately began oversupplying Mali before the northern part of the country was controlled by rebel and jihadist groups. According to the sources interviewed, cigarettes are transported to the north with the support of the army and police, and end up under the control of militias and Islamist fighters. As an internal industry document reportedly indicates, BAT has used informants in West Africa to keep abreast of the region’s illicit trade.

Conflict zones flooded with cigarette manufacturers

While it is difficult to know the exact quantities of illicit cigarettes smuggled into Mali, it is estimated that 4.7 billion cigarettes are delivered each year in surplus to the country, most of them coming from South Africa. The cigarettes are then transported thousands of kilometers to Libya, Algeria, Niger or Sudan. Transporting these extremely dangerous goods is very well paid. According to the authors of the study, while the average daily wage is less than 1.60 euros, transporting a load of contraband cigarettes can earn the driver up to 10,000 euros. Corrupt local officials and drug barons work hand in hand to profit from this lucrative trade. According to a former employee of British American Tobacco, armed groups, whether independent Tuaregs, ethnic militias or jihadist groups, have become the guardians of the smuggling routes. This role of customs played by armed groups in this region of Africa is, however, known to the tobacco manufacturer.

Taking advantage of the confusion

Beyond demonstrating the involvement of tobacco manufacturers in global smuggling, the Malian example shows that cigarette manufacturers are not respecting their international commitments. Between 2004 and 2010, tobacco companies, condemned by European Union countries for their role in organizing illicit trade, signed a series of agreements. Manufacturers committed to ensuring that their goods did not fall under the control of criminal organizations. The situation in Mali shows that the tobacco industry is, on the contrary, taking advantage of the weakness of local governments and the confusion in the entire region to distribute its products.

When illicit trade finances terrorism and organized crime

This involvement of cigarette companies in illicit trade in conflict zones shows that tobacco smuggling involves not only fiscal and health issues, but also has a geopolitical stake. Indeed, part of the financing of criminal and terrorist organizations comes from the illicit tobacco trade, as well as from the trafficking of illegal substances, such as cannabis or cocaine. Beyond confirming that the tobacco industry continues to organize or facilitate illicit trade, the investigation highlights the proven links between cigarette companies and organized crime. While the tobacco industry is deploying public relations efforts to regain its corporate image responsible, a partner of the public authorities, the elements reported by the OCCRP cast a shadow over this soothing picture.

©Tobacco Free Generation Photo credit: ©Nicolas Remene/Le Pictorium/Maxppp

[1] OCCRP, British American Tobacco Fights Dirty In West Africa, February 26, 2021 (accessed 1er March 2021)

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