French Navy’s significant cocaine seizure underscores vital maritime security operations off the coast of Martinique.
On the night of July 17-18, a French Navy frigate seized 1,292 kg of cocaine from the sailboat AVEL GLAZ (without a flag) 660 nautical miles northeast of Martinique. This operation was executed with assistance from the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (Narcotics) (MAOC-N), the British National Crime Agency (NCA), the French National Directorate of Intelligence and Customs Investigations (DNRED), and Spanish authorities. The contraband and the lone crew member, a Spanish national, were handed over to the OFAST office in Fort-de-France on July 23. Due to the sailboat’s poor condition, making it unsafe to tow to port, it was scuttled.
This incident represents the 17th interception by coast guard units since January 1, 2024, raising the total quantity of cocaine seized this year to 29.29 tons, compared to 21.29 tons for the entirety of 2023.
