The French Navy has seized close to 10 tonnes of cocaine valued at about $610 million off the coast of West Africa.
According to French authorities, two naval vessels operating under Operation Corymbe intercepted the unflagged fishing vessel carrying the illicit drugs on Monday, following a tip-off from maritime intelligence, anti-drug authorities, and the British National Crime Agency.
The Corymbe mission, deployed by France in the Gulf of Guinea since 1990, is aimed at ensuring maritime security in an area long plagued by piracy. Officials say the successful interception was the result of “seamless cooperation by national and international actors” in the fight against narcotics.
The French Navy reported that about 54 tonnes of drugs have been intercepted in the area since the beginning of this year. The Gulf of Guinea, off the western coast of Africa, has become a key transit route for narcotics, especially cocaine trafficked from South America to Europe.
Although once regarded as the world’s most dangerous zone for piracy, the Gulf of Guinea is now facing growing concerns over international drug trafficking. Several Western nations have deployed ships in the region to bolster maritime security.
Last year, the French Navy recorded its biggest cocaine seizure in the area, intercepting 10.7 tonnes in March 2024.
Source:BBC.com
