The French navy has intercepted nearly 10 tonnes of cocaine valued at $610 million (£540 million) from an unflagged fishing vessel off the Gulf of Guinea, officials confirmed Wednesday.
Two French naval ships, deployed under Operation Corymbe, carried out the seizure on Monday following intelligence shared by maritime authorities and the UK’s National Crime Agency. Operation Corymbe has operated in the region since 1990, focusing on countering piracy and ensuring maritime security.
According to France’s Atlantic Maritime Prefecture, the bust involved 9.6 tonnes of cocaine, marking one of the year’s largest drug seizures. Authorities highlighted the operation as a success of “seamless cooperation by national and international actors” in combating drug trafficking.
The Gulf of Guinea remains a key transit hub for cocaine shipments from South America to Europe. The region has witnessed several major drug interceptions in recent months, alongside ongoing efforts to curb piracy that once made it one of the most dangerous waters in the world.
In March 2024, the French navy seized a record 10.7 tonnes of cocaine off West Africa—the largest interception of its kind in the region.
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