The fishing vessel was detected during a maritime surveillance mission carried out by the French authorities in the Mediterranean, with no visible external markings on the hull and a course which did not appear to be consistent with normal fishing activity in that area.
After an extensive search of the vessel it was possible to find a hidden cavity behind a bulkhead containing a significant amount of cannabis resin. A full search of the converted cache resulted in the seizure of 4.2 tons of cannabis resin packed in 134 bales.
This surveillance mission, conducted by the French authorities between the 10th and the 17th of September in the southern Mediterranean, included several naval assets and a Beechcraft KA350 ER aircraft, which was essential for the detection and seizure of this vessel and the respective illicit cargo.
Press Release: https://minefi.hosting.augure.com/Augure_Minefi/default.ashx?WCI=EmailViewer&id=984596d9%2Dca2d%2D4a1e%2Db125%2D42214046a9e0
