Cocaine in Aquitaine: Gendarmes and gold-seekers comb beaches of the Landes
A cargo of 15 tonnes of cocaine is believed to have been dumped off the coast of the Landes. Gendarmes and civilians have been searching the beaches since Tuesday.
Drug dumped: mobilisation on Landes coastline
Since Tuesday, gendarmes have been stepping up checks on the beaches of the Landes after Actu Bordeaux revealed that a cargo of 15 tonnes of cocaine is believed to have been thrown into the sea by traffickers. According to TF1 Info, which observed the scene in the area on Wednesday, law enforcement is not alone in inspecting the Aquitaine coastline: several groups of young people, who came hoping to recover drugs, have also flocked to the beaches.
Young people dressed in black regularly scan the ocean, covering their faces when a drone approaches before dispersing. Questioned by the TF1 team, they confirm having driven for several hours and slept on site "since last night" in search of "finding drugs". Gendarmes quickly stop them and take down their identities. A local resident observes in this regard: "There are people here that we don't usually see, maybe they came out of curiosity."
Previous incidents and consequences
Cocaine dumps on French coasts occur regularly. In 2019, several Aquitaine beaches were closed after the discovery of two tonnes of goods. Four years later, in 2023, a Norman beach attracted similar curious onlookers during a dump of two tonnes. Anyone finding cocaine must immediately alert the authorities: transporting such products constitutes an offence punishable by ten years' imprisonment.
Source: TF1 Info