French Navy seizes 8.6 tonnes of cocaine and cannabis in Caribbean and Atlantic
The French National Navy captured over 8.6 tonnes of narcotics in operations conducted between 4 and 13 October. Five people were detained in Martinique.
Record seizure: French military vessels halt drug trafficking in South Atlantic
The French National Navy confiscated over 8.6 tonnes of narcotics during multiple operations conducted between 4 and 13 October, both in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, reports News.ro citing AFP.
The total balance of seizures comprises approximately 6.9 tonnes of cocaine and 1.7 tonnes of cannabis, captured in coordination with several partner countries.
The most significant intervention took place on 8 October in the Atlantic Ocean, when a French military vessel intercepted a fishing vessel without a flag which "was beginning a transatlantic crossing". On board, 150 packets tested positive for cocaine were discovered, with a total weight of 5,292 kilogrammes.
At the request of the prosecution, the cargo and the five crew members were transferred to Fort-de-France, in Martinique. The suspects came into the custody of investigators from the Anti-Drug Office (OFAST) Caribbean, according to a statement signed by the prefect of the department and the Armed Forces of the Antilles.
Two other interceptions took place in the Caribbean Sea. On 4 October, a French frigate, supported by its own helicopter, stopped — with the assistance of the Colombian Navy — a "fast-type go-fast vessel without a flag" in which sixteen packets of cocaine were found. On 13 October, a Venezuelan fishing vessel was inspected, with 166 packets of cocaine and cannabis found on board.
Following the two operations in the Caribbean, which led to the seizure of over three tonnes of narcotics, "the crews, illicit goods and vessels were handed over to the competent Colombian and Venezuelan authorities for the continuation of judicial proceedings", states the joint statement from the Ministry of Defence.
Minister Catherine Vautrin sent a congratulatory message on the X platform: "Well done to the crews and those involved in these seizures, which demonstrate the professionalism and efficiency of our forces." Vautrin emphasised that "the action of the French armed forces is in strict compliance with the law."
Source: News.ro