Joint Maritime Operation: 2.4 Tons of Cocaine Seized in French Polynesia
In a significant operation in collaboration with the United States, the French Navy managed to seize 2.4 tons of cocaine in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, specifically in the area of French Polynesia.
This operation, which took place on Thursday, raises the total amount of cocaine seized in this region during February to approximately 12 tons.
These operations are part of intensive efforts to combat drug trafficking in the Pacific, where the waters of Polynesia are used as a route for smuggling drugs from Latin American countries to consumer markets in Pacific nations, particularly New Zealand and Australia.
The drugs were not intended for Polynesia itself but were en route to those destinations.
This seizure operation was supported by a military aircraft and involved the pursuit of a ship that was not flying any flag, making it difficult to determine its identity or country of origin.
As is customary in such operations, the seized drugs were disposed of at sea.
This operation is part of France's ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in its territorial waters, where the total quantities seized in 2025 exceeded 87.6 tons of drugs, an increase of 81% compared to the previous year.
Among these quantities, 58 tons were cocaine, a record number in the history of the French Navy.
