On Saturday, March 15, 2025, a significant operation led by the maritime prefect of the Atlantic and the public prosecutor of Brest resulted in the seizure of an astonishing 6,386 kg of cocaine from a fishing vessel in international waters off the Gulf of Guinea.
The operation involved assets from the French Navy stationed in the region, which conducted the boarding of a 20-meter fishing vessel registered in Guyana. This successful operation was prompted by the French anti-narcotics office (OFAST), which acted on intelligence provided by partners from MAOC-N, as well as the National Crime Agency (NCA) from the UK and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from the US.
The French Navy maintains a nearly permanent presence in the Gulf of Guinea, deploying one to two vessels supported by maritime surveillance aircraft as part of Operation Corymbe. This initiative plays a crucial role in strengthening maritime security cooperation in West and Central Africa.
Cocaine trafficking through West Africa has become a significant concern for law enforcement agencies and governments around the world. Over the past years, this region has emerged as a crucial transit point for cocaine destined for Europe.
