According to a report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), drug trafficking in the Sahel region continues to endanger public health while impeding security, economic growth, and the rule of law. The most often found narcotic in the Sahel region that is trafficked internationally is cannabis resin, which is followed by cocaine and prescription painkillers. Cocaine seizures in the Sahel increased dramatically to 1,466 kg in 2022, indicating the existence of extensive cocaine trafficking in the area. Due to its geographic location, the area is a convenient stopover for the growing amount of cocaine manufactured in South America on its way to Europe, where demand for the drug has increased concurrently.
https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/tocta_sahel/TOCTA_Sahel_drugs.pdf (Full Report)