502 kg cocaine seizure off Martinique aboard flagless vessel
The French Navy intercepted a vessel flying no flag on 17 April in the Atlantic with 502.5 kg of cocaine on board. The investigation has been entrusted to OFAST Caraïbes.
Flagless vessel intercepted: more than 500 kg cocaine seized in Atlantic
The French Navy boarded a vessel flying no flag on 17 April in the Atlantic Ocean, according to la1ere.franceinfo.fr. On board, control teams discovered 15 packages containing a total of 502.5 kg of cocaine, confirmed positive by tests carried out on site.
The operation was conducted within the framework of United Nations conventions relating to maritime law and the fight against drug trafficking. A boarding team went aboard the suspect vessel, where the packages were quickly located.
The individuals arrested and the cargo were transferred to Fort-de-France in accordance with French judicial procedures applicable to drug trafficking. The investigation was entrusted to the Anti-Narcotics Office (OFAST) Caraïbes, tasked with identifying any networks involved.
The admiral commanding the Antilles maritime zone directed the operation, under the authority of the prefect of Martinique, government delegate for state action at sea. The National Directorate for Intelligence and Customs Investigations contributed to the sharing of intelligence that made the interception possible.
The armed forces in the Antilles conduct similar operations throughout the year as part of the fight against international drug trafficking on the high seas.
Source: Google News MQ — Crime