“RoRo” an Emerging Threat in Madagascar

An emerging threat in Madagascar, “roro” (heroin), a hard drug, is wreaking havoc among young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, but also among the more affluent. This is a matter of concern to public opinion and a challenge to parents and educators from all walks of life.

Since the beginning of 2023, according to the count carried out by Madagascar’s regional maritime information fusion centre, 14 dhows and fishing vessels have been discovered with drugs in its area of interest.

A total of 6,350 kg of methamphetamine, 1,637 kg of heroin and 23 kg of amphetamine pills were seized at sea from vessels intercepted in the northern Indian Ocean.

In the southern countries of the area, several seizures in ports and on the coastline were noted in Mozambique and South Africa.

In addition, the use of the heroin-based drug “roro” has exploded in Madagascar, which until recently was only a transit country. Today it is increasingly becoming a place of consumption.