On March 4th, during their deployment as part of the 2024 Jeanne d’Arc mission, the amphibious helicopter carrier (PHA) TONNERRE and the La Fayette-class frigate GUEPRATTE intercepted 894 kg of cocaine, valued at around 60 million euros, aboard a 15-meter sailboat carrying three individuals near the Cape Verde Islands. The confiscated narcotics were then transferred to the PHA for disposal. Following the operation, the three sailors and their sailboat were permitted to leave. The execution of this mission fell under the jurisdiction of the maritime prefect of the Atlantic and the public prosecutor of Brest.
The sailboat had been under surveillance by the MAOC-N and the National Directorate of Intelligence and Customs Investigations (DNRED). Since the start of the year, the efforts of the MAOC-N have resulted in the seizure of 15.34 tons of cocaine across 9 operations, with 7.97 tons intercepted on board four vessels by French assets. In 2023, the French Navy intercepted 13.5 tons of cocaine on board six vessels off the African coast. Additionally, the support provided by the Marine Falcon 50, stationed in Dakar, was instrumental in five operations conducted by foreign partners, including Senegal and Guinea, leading to a total seizure of 6.7 tons of cocaine.
