An investigation by AFP has uncovered that Indian pharmaceutical companies are exporting millions of dollars' worth of tapentadol, a powerful opioid, to West Africa, despite a promised crackdown by Indian authorities. This has contributed to a severe drug epidemic, particularly in Liberia and Sierra Leone, where officials report alarming levels of addiction and death. Ansu Konneh, the director of mental health at Sierra Leone's Ministry of Social Welfare, highlighted the dire situation, stating that over 400 corpses were picked up from the streets in just three months. The opioid is often mixed with the highly addictive drug kush, leading to a national emergency in these countries. Although India declared a zero-tolerance policy against illegal drug trading in February 2025, banning certain combinations of tapentadol, the trade in pure tapentadol tablets persists. Researchers indicate that this drug is now commonly used as a performance enhancer, trapping many users in addiction. Tapentadol is being marketed as tramadol on the streets, despite being two to three times stronger.