On March 3, at the end of the afternoon, in coordination with the National Directorate of Intelligence and Customs Investigations (DNRED) and the customs maritime surveillance aircraft, the Antilles-Guyana patrol boat "La Combattante" intervened on a deep-sea fishing vessel more than 200 Nq (approximately 370 km) east of the Caribbean arc. Nearly 1750 kg of cocaine were discovered on board the boat.
The intervention of the crew of “La Combattante” revealed the presence of numerous suspicious bundles on board the fishing vessel.
Merchandise discovered tested positive for cocaine. 63 bales of cocaine were seized, for a total weight of approximately 1 kg.
The vessel's identification documents made it possible to determine its origin and its involvement in a cross-border illicit trafficking network. In accordance with international regulations on the fight against drug trafficking, the flag State having wished to retain its jurisdiction, the crew members and the cocaine seized were returned to the sea to the authorities of the country concerned. The bales of cocaine seized will be destroyed in the presence of a representative of the French Embassy. This operation, led by the admiral commanding the maritime zone of the Antilles, by delegation of the prefect of Martinique, delegate of the Government for the action of the State at sea, was carried out with the support of the French customs, the prosecutor's office of Fort-de-France and the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
This third seizure of the year 2023 brings the balance sheet of the Armed Forces in the West Indies to nearly 3,2 tons of narcotics withdrawn from the distribution networks.
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