French navy seizes 2.4 tonnes of cocaine in Pacific Ocean
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Cocaine seized in the South Pacific by the Colombian navy on Feb 14. Large amounts of drugs are transported from North and South America for Australian and New Zealand markets, according to the UN.
PHOTO: AFP
PAPEETE, French Polynesia – French authorities said on Feb 14 that they had seized 2.4 tonnes of cocaine from a vessel in the Pacific Ocean during a joint operation with the US, as officials step up interceptions in Polynesian waters.
The seizure of 100 bales of the drug took place on Feb 12, and the vessel was allowed to continue on to its destination, which officials did not specify.
“In accordance with practices applicable under international law... the vessel and its crew resumed their voyage,” the High Commission in French Polynesia said in a statement.
It added that the operation was carried out with “the cooperation of US government agencies”.
The statement did not specify the ship’s flag or point of origin.
Over the past month, French authorities have seized nearly 12 tonnes of cocaine around Polynesia, including three that were between two tonnes and five tonnes each.
The United Nations has said in recent years that organised criminal groups trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine have expanded their presence in the Pacific.
Large amounts of drugs are transported from North and South America for Australian and New Zealand markets, according to the UN.
In 2025, the French navy seized a record 87.6 tonnes of drugs worldwide, including 58 tonnes of cocaine. AFP
