France’s navy has intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 4.87 tonnes of cocaine from ship operations in the South Pacific. Authorities believe the shipment was intended for Australia.
The vessel, originating from Central America, was stopped on January 16. France’s High Commission in French Polynesia said the operation required “significant human and material resources” from the armed forces.
The ship, sailing under Togo’s flag, carried 10 Honduran and one Ecuadoran crew member. French officials said the crew will not face prosecution in France, though their home countries may pursue legal action.
Officials confirmed that the cocaine from ship cargo was part of a growing trend in the Pacific. The United Nations has reported that organised crime groups trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine are increasingly active in the region. Large shipments are often sent from the Americas to Australia and New Zealand.
This seizure marks one of the largest interceptions of cocaine from ship operations in the South Pacific in recent years. Authorities said such efforts are part of a broader campaign to combat transnational drug trafficking.
French naval forces are now reviewing security measures and shipping routes to prevent future attempts. The operation demonstrates the coordination between French forces and international partners to monitor illicit drug movements.
The United Nations has emphasized that cocaine from ship shipments in the Pacific presents a major challenge to law enforcement. Efforts to intercept these vessels help reduce the supply to markets in Australia and New Zealand.
Authorities also highlighted that the investigation into this specific case remains ongoing. France continues to strengthen its maritime patrols to deter organised crime and secure the Pacific trade routes.
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