A record-breaking drug bust took place on September 22, 2025, when the French Navy intercepted nearly 10 tons of cocaine aboard a stateless vessel in the Gulf of Guinea, off the coast of West Africa. The seizure, totaling 9.6 tons, marks the largest cocaine interception of the year. The estimated street value of the cargo stands at around €519 million. After the operation, the vessel was scuttled at sea.
Crew detained and legal proceedings
The six crew members were placed under restrictive custody and will be transferred by the French Navy to the interregional specialized jurisdiction (JIRS) in Fort-de-France, Martinique. According to Brest prosecutor Stéphane Kellenberger, they face potential sentences of at least 20 years in prison. He praised the “fruitful and smooth cooperation with the French Navy.”
Unlike many previous operations off the African coast, the traffickers were not released after the interception. Jean-François Quérat, Atlantic Maritime Prefect, explained that the French vessel involved was capable of detaining suspects onboard. Although he declined to reveal the crew’s nationality, he confirmed that the ship was likely en route to Europe. Authorities also discovered an automatic weapon and ammunition aboard. The cocaine was destroyed after sampling.
French Naval presence in the Gulf of Guinea
The seizure was carried out by two French Navy vessels deployed under the ongoing Corymbe mission, which ensures a near-continuous maritime presence in the Gulf of Guinea to support regional navies.
This latest interception contributes to a record trend in 2025, with more than 45 tons of drugs seized since January. The Gulf of Guinea remains a strategic hub in global narcotrafficking routes, serving as a transit corridor for Latin American cocaine destined for Europe.
In recent months, the French Navy has reported other major seizures in the same region, including operations in March and August that each netted more than six tons of cocaine.
The operation highlights the Gulf of Guinea’s role as a critical transit zone for cocaine trafficking and underscores the importance of French naval deployments in combating organized crime at sea. Since the beginning of the year, the French Navy has seized 54 tons of cocaine in the Atlantic and Pacific, compared to 47 tons last year and 20.2 tons in 2022, according to the Maritime Prefect.
