A sailboat carrying 317 kg of cocaine was boarded off Martinique, the Defense Forces of the Antilles (FAA) said on Thursday, saying it had seized more than 5.2 tons of narcotics since the beginning of the year.
The operation was carried out by sailors from the surveillance frigate Ventôse on July 5, 800 km east of the Martin coast, with the support of the Coast Guard Customs aircraft. “The inspection team, reinforced by the specialized maritime intervention team (ESIM), noted the presence of suspicious bundles on board the sailboat. “The discovered goods tested positive for cocaine,” the FAA statement said.
The two crew members, the cargo and the sailboat were taken to Fort-de-France by the Ventôse and handed over to the OFAST (Anti-Narcotics Office) Caribbean branch on July 8. “They have both been charged with importing and exporting in an organized gang, acquiring, possessing, transporting, offering or distributing narcotics, association of criminals in the preparation of the above crimes and offenses,” the parquet floor told AFP from Fort-de- France. Both men were taken into custody.
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This is the second major drug seizure by the French Navy in the West Indies in a week. The sailors of the patrol boat La Combattante got their hands on 1.7 tons of cannabis on June 29 off Martinique.
“This fifth seizure in 2023, the second in a week, brings the FAA’s tally to more than 5.2 tons of narcotic products withdrawn from distribution networks,” the release said.