French Navy Foils $610M Cocaine Smuggling Operation Off West Africa

French Navy Seizes Nearly 10 Tones of Cocaine Off West African Coast In a significant operation, the French navy has seized nearly 10 tonnes of cocaine worth $610 million off the coast of West Africa. The massive haul was intercepted from an unflagged fishing vessel in the Gulf of Guinea on Monday. According to the French navy, two naval vessels operating as part of Operation Corymbe, which has been deployed by France since 1990 to ensure security in the region, intercepted the cocaine shipment after receiving a tip-off from maritime intelligence and anti-drug authorities. The British National Crime Agency also provided crucial information that led to the seizure. "We are proud of this remarkable seizure, which is a testament to the seamless cooperation between national and international actors in the fight against narcotics," said a spokesperson for France's Atlantic Maritime Prefecture. The Gulf of Guinea has seen multiple drug busts in recent years, with 54 tonnes of drugs intercepted since the beginning of the year. The region is known for its high risk of piracy, which has led to increased security measures by international navies. "This operation demonstrates the effectiveness of our joint efforts to combat transnational organized crime," said a French naval spokesperson. "We will continue to work closely with our partners to disrupt and dismantle these networks." The seizure highlights the growing concern over cocaine trafficking in West Africa, where the drug is often used as a commodity for other illicit activities such as terrorism financing. "The Gulf of Guinea has become a major transit point for cocaine shipments from South America," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a leading expert on transnational organized crime. "This operation sends a strong message to traffickers that they will be caught and held accountable." The French navy's Operation Corymbe is part of a broader effort by international navies to combat piracy and drug trafficking in the region. The operation has been successful in disrupting pirate networks and intercepting large quantities of cocaine. As the global fight against narcotics continues, this significant seizure serves as a reminder of the importance of international cooperation and information sharing in combating transnational organized crime. Background: The Gulf of Guinea is a strategic location for drug trafficking due to its proximity to major shipping lanes and ports. The region has seen an increase in piracy and armed robbery in recent years, making it a high-risk area for maritime security. Additional Perspectives: "This operation demonstrates the effectiveness of our joint efforts to combat transnational organized crime," said a French naval spokesperson. "The Gulf of Guinea has become a major transit point for cocaine shipments from South America," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a leading expert on transnational organized crime. Current Status and Next Developments: The seized cocaine is currently being held by the French authorities, who will work with international partners to dismantle the trafficking network. The operation is expected to continue in the coming weeks as part of Operation Corymbe. *Reporting by Bbc.*