French naval vessels seizes 8.3 tonnes of cocaine in Caribbean Sea

French naval vessels have recovered 8.3 tonnes of cocaine in the Caribbean Sea during patrols conducted by French Forces. It indicates the untiring efforts of the officials to combat the problem of drug trafficking.

As per reports, the two ships conducted three consecutive exercises on the high seas off Martinique and 1 in the Caribbean Sea. During the search, the officers managed to seize narcotics in the Antilles maritime area. 

These operations were conducted by the armed forces in the Antilles, and they were spearheaded by the Prefet de la Martinique. 

The surveillance frigate Le Germinal found 6 tonnes of cocaine and 2 tonnes of drugs recovered by the La Combatante vessel. The awareness showcased the dedication and determination of the officers regarding the national security of the borders. 

“These first seizures of 8.3 tonnes in just 9 days in 2024 demonstrates the state’s unwavering determination to relentlessly combat drug trafficking in the Caribbean and the Atlantic”, wrote the Forces Armees Aux Antilles on its Facebook page.

They expressed their delight in the collaboration of international and inter-ministerial in dealing with such cases. The officials arrested multiple suspects in connection to the cocaine, and they are waiting for their trials. 

Two days earlier, the frigate Le Germinal returned to its base along with 6 tonnes of narcotics, which they had seized through two fishing vessels. 

Notably, this is not the first incident in which officers recovered cocaine in the Caribbean Sea as a few days ago, the US Coast Guard seized drugs worth millions of dollars in two separate incidents in the Caribbean Sea, and they arrested two men in connection to the trafficking of drugs. 

During the 62 days of patrol, guards found narcotics, which have an estimated street value of $34.8 million on the international illegal market. In the second operation, they detained a go-fast vessel and found cocaine worth 441 pounds. 

As the trafficking of drugs remains one of the major challenges for the Caribbean countries, authorities ensure to combat this problem by implementing strict surveillance in the Caribbean Sea and its borders. 

Most of the Caribbean nations pledged to take serious actions against the spike in crimes, urged zero tolerance towards it, and strictly prohibited the importation or exportation of weapons in the wrong manner.