French customs authorities have seized nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine, valued at an estimated €225 million (about US$261.45 million), from a container of plastic waste that arrived at the northern port of Dunkirk from Ghana.
The seizure was made on Thursday, September 10, following a targeted operation by French judicial police against a criminal network suspected of organising the shipment.
According to France’s organised crime prosecutor’s office, the cocaine was concealed inside the container, which was reportedly destined partly for Antwerp, Belgium.
The seized cocaine has since been destroyed, while prosecutors have launched an investigation into the shipment and the criminal network allegedly behind it.
The investigation focuses on offences including organised importation of narcotics and participation in a criminal association, which carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison under French law.
The seizure highlights ongoing efforts by European authorities to disrupt international drug trafficking networks and prevent large consignments of cocaine from entering the continent.
Authorities are expected to investigate the cocaine’s movement from Ghana to France and identify those allegedly responsible for organising the shipment.
