FLASH
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A historic seizure has been made by the gendarmerie of Rouen in France, which seized more than two tons of cocaine hidden in a container in the port of Le Havre (Seine-Maritime). This operation, carried out by the investigation section in Rouen and the Office Against Narcotics (OFAST), represents a major blow to drug trafficking in France.
Two people, a 22-year-old port worker and a 41-year-old truck driver, were arrested and charged on Friday. As Le Figaro reports, according to a press release from Laure Beccuau, Paris public prosecutor, they are being prosecuted for importing narcotics into an organized gang, criminal conspiracy and smuggling goods dangerous to public health.
These offenses are punishable by 30 years of imprisonment. The value of the seized drugs is estimated at more than 130 million euros.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has welcomed this success on the X social network, saying that this seizure is evidence that "the fight against drug trafficking is intensifying day by day".
Je remercie chaleureusement la Section de recherches de la @gendarmerie de ROUEN et l'OFAST ainsi que les magistrates du parquet du Havre et de la JUNALCO pour le travail exceptionale qui permis la saisie de plus de de cocaïne dans le port du Havre et l'arrestation de… pic.twitter.com/Pz6UOUWBv0
— Bruno Retailleau (@BrunoRetailleau) January 3, 2025
Colonel Joël Kerleau, head of the investigation, specified that this operation was launched thanks to the information and controls carried out by the investigation section in Rouen.
The investigations, which were first overseen by the public prosecution of Le Havre and then by the National Jurisdiction for the Fight against Organized Crime (Junalco), are continuing to identify accomplices and collaborators.
The investigation revealed an innovative method of operation, with the use of a "clone container" located in the unloading area. This container, identical to that of a ship awaiting unloading, allowed substitution to avoid scanner checks.
Colonel Kerleau said this is the first time such a technique has been used in Le Havre, although it is known in other international ports. This seizure highlights the importance of the port of Le Havre as France's main cocaine gateway.
A precedent in March 2024
This is not the first time that the port of Le Havre has been the scene of such operations. In March 2024, 2.7 tons of cocaine were seized in a container coming from Guadeloupe, hidden in moving boxes. This new interception confirms the extent of the presence of transnational criminal organizations in France.
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