Wagner’s Remnants Are Running an Opioid Empire in the Center of Africa

A few hundred remnants of the Russian mercenary group Wagner have established a new base in the Central African Republic, leveraging the opioid drug tramadol to build a lucrative trade network. This move highlights the group's enduring influence and ability to adapt, even as Russia absorbed the majority of its forces. The opioid trade poses significant risks to public health and stability in the region, underscoring the complex and dangerous global reach of Wagner's activities. For those concerned about international security and drug trafficking, this development is a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of mercenary operations.