Over 9 tonnes of cocaine seized off Martinique by French Navy
The patrol vessel La Confiance intercepted a merchant vessel on 10 January and seized 250 bales of cocaine. First seizure by the FAA in 2025, following a record of 28 tonnes in 2024.
First seizure of 2025: 9 tonnes of cocaine intercepted off Martinique
According to defence.gouv.fr, the Antilles-Guyana patrol vessel (PAG) La Confiance intercepted a merchant vessel on 10 January on the high seas off Martinique. The operation enabled the Armed Forces in the Antilles (FAA) to seize over 9 tonnes of narcotics — the first seizure of 2025.
The crew of La Confiance, which was taking over from the overseas support and assistance vessel (BSAOM) Dumont d'Urville, detected a suspicious cargo aboard the vessel. The search led to the discovery of 250 bales. One of them, subjected to a detection test, tested positive for cocaine. The total weight of the seized goods exceeds 9 tonnes.
The bales and the individuals arrested were transported to Fort-de-France, on the instructions of the Inter-Regional Specialised Judicial Authority (JIRS) of Fort-de-France.
The operation was conducted by the admiral commanding the Antilles maritime zone, under the authority of the prefect of Martinique. It took place within a framework of inter-military, inter-service and international cooperation, in coordination with the Armed Forces in Guyana (FAG) and the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre – Narcotics (MAOC-N), a European centre for combating drug trafficking based in Lisbon.
This seizure comes following a 2024 year described as record-breaking by the FAA, during which over 28 tonnes of narcotics had been intercepted in the Antilles zone.
The Armed Forces in the Antilles comprise approximately 1,300 military personnel deployed in Martinique and Guadeloupe. Their air-maritime component regularly participates in missions to combat illicit trafficking and protect the marine environment in the Caribbean Sea.
Source: Google News MQ — Crime