More than 8 tonnes of cocaine seized in the West Indies during four interventions since February 20

The four interventions were carried out by the national navy in international waters, off the coast of the Antilles. “To date, eight people have been placed in pre-trial detention” and indicted for drug trafficking in an organized gang, the Martinique prosecutor said on Saturday.

Since February 20, 8.3 tonnes of cocaine have been seized during four interventions by the national navy in international waters, off the coast of the Antilles, according to a report drawn up by the French authorities on Saturday March 2. It is “almost as much as the total seizures made in 2023”, which stood at 11 tonnes, indicates the Martinique prosecutor. The value of the products seized “counts in hundreds of millions of euros”specifies the press release from the Ministry of the Armed Forces, the prefect of Martinique, the Interregional Jurisdiction specializing in the fight against crime of Fort-de-France (JIRS) and by the French Anti-Narcotics Office.

The JIRS is seized of three of the four cases, the fourth will be judged in Venezuela. “To date, eight people have been placed in pre-trial detention” and indictments for organized drug trafficking, indicates the prosecutor. They are of British, South African, German, Russian, Spanish and Colombian nationality. “They face a sentence of 30 years in prison and a fine of 7.5 million euros.” Three people arrested during the latest intervention are still in police custody at the French Anti-Narcotics Office.

Four interventions in quick succession

The first intervention, on February 20, 2,000 km southeast of Martinique, on a Panamanian fishing vessel, made it possible to get their hands on 3 tons of cocaine. The second, on February 22, 1,500 km east of Martinique, on a Venezuelan ship, allowed French authorities to seize 3 additional tons. The crew was handed over to Venezuelan authorities and the bales of cocaine were destroyed.

On February 26, 600 km southeast of Martinique, French authorities seized a ton hidden on a Jersey-flagged sailboat. “Finally, one last skiff was intercepted with more than a ton of cocaine on board”, indicates the press release. Concerning the cocaine seized on the Panamanian and Jersey ships, the crew members and their cargo were handed over to the French authorities.

This is cocaine mainly produced in Colombia and which transits through Suriname, before being loaded on boats to Europe, explains the prosecutor.