On Tuesday February 13, 2024, the French Navy made a major seizure in the fight against drug trafficking in the southern Indian Ocean near the Comoros archipelago. The overseas support and assistance ship (BSAOM) Champlain, part of the overseas support and assistance ship (FAZSOI), intercepted a dhow suspected of drug trafficking around 70 nautical miles off Mayotte, near the Comoros archipelago.
Inspection of the vessel revealed the presence of 1.6 tons of synthetic methamphetamine-type drugs, one of the largest seizures of its kind in the region. This major seizure underlines the evolution of drug flows from Western Asia and their growing proximity to French territories, as emphasized by the Prefecture of Réunion.
The operation, carried out under the jurisdiction of the Prefect of La Réunion, resulted in the immediate destruction of the drugs seized. This decisive action is part of a wider effort to combat drug trafficking in the region. In early January, a similar dhow managed to scuttle its cargo off the coast of Mohammed before the authorities could intervene.
In 2023 alone, almost 7 tonnes of narcotics were seized in the southern Indian Ocean, underlining the persistent threat posed by drug trafficking networks in the region. The successful interception by the French Navy bears witness to the dedication and vigilance of law enforcement agencies in preserving maritime security and combating transnational crime.
