French authorities have uncovered and dismantled a cocaine trafficking network that used a maritime drop-off method for the first time in the country, according to Le Figaro, citing the prosecutor’s office in the city of Rennes.
The method, known as “drop-off,” involves dumping packages of narcotics into open waters from larger vessels, where they are then collected by small fishing boats. According to the prosecutor, this approach is “typical of the most sophisticated organized criminal groups.”
A large-scale operation involving around 100 law enforcement officers led to the seizure of 800 kilograms of cocaine from a cargo ship traveling from Brazil to Amsterdam. The vessel was redirected to the port of Dunkirk, and all 22 crew members — all of Filipino nationality — were taken into custody.
In addition, eight more people were arrested in the towns of Tankerville, Le Havre, and Ouistreham — six men, including three fishermen, and two women. Some of the suspects have prior convictions for illegal fishing, aggravated robbery, violence, or drug trafficking.
The prosecutor stated that the operation was the culmination of an 18-month investigation, which is still ongoing. The suspects are currently being questioned under the supervision of the judicial police.
France has seen a sharp rise in drug seizures in 2024, with the volume of confiscated cocaine increasing by 130% compared to 2023.
