The Wagner Group, Russia’s infamous paramilitary organization, has carved out a “drug empire” in the Central African Republic, where its operations have gained fresh momentum through the tramadol trade. This revelation comes from The Wall Street Journal, highlighting how the group has transformed a common painkiller into a powerful stimulant—often dubbed the “poor man’s cocaine”.
Originally prescribed for mild conditions, tramadol in the Central African Republic is being repackaged and highly concentrated, turning it into a potent opioid. Wagner’s involvement in this illicit trade has not only bolstered its financial resources but also deepened its influence across the region.
Despite Wagner’s reported decline in other African nations—following the death of its founder, Evgueni Prigojine, in 2023, and its replacement by Africa Corps under Russia’s Defense Ministry—the group maintains a stronghold in Bangui. With around 500 operatives under the leadership of Pavel Prigojine, Wagner continues to expand its operations, leveraging the Central African Republic’s mineral wealth (gold, diamonds, uranium) and strategic resources.
According to the Global Initiative, Wagner’s illegal gold mining operations alone generate an estimated $180 million (€160 million) annually. These illicit activities, combined with Wagner’s “state capture” tactics, have drawn scrutiny from the U.S. Pentagon’s Africa Center for Strategic Studies.
Tramadol as a tool of control and combat enhancement
The tramadol trade, sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo via river routes, flows into markets across the Central African Republic. Wagner’s mercenaries oversee its distribution, selling it at inflated prices to neighboring countries. The group also supplies tramadol to:
- Elite presidential guards in the Central African Republic
- A notorious youth militia known as the “Sharks”, which conducts armed patrols near the capital and targets opposition supporters
- Gold miners working for Wagner
- Pro-Russia protesters
- Counterinsurgency fighters, allegedly to “boost combat morale”
Experts quoted in The Wall Street Journal warn that Wagner’s influence could soon spread to neighboring Sudan, potentially through collaborations with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), whose operations are expanding in regions bordering the Central African Republic.
