The French navy has seized almost 10 tonnes of cocaine worth over $600 million from a fishing vessel off the coast of West Africa, French authorities confirmed on Thursday.
The operation, conducted by two French navy ships on Monday, followed a tip-off from anti-drug and maritime intelligence authorities, as well as support from British police, officials in France’s northwestern Atlantic Maritime region said.
This seizure was part of France’s Corymbe naval mission, deployed in the Gulf of Guinea since 1990 to ensure security in an area known for piracy and organised maritime crime.
“In total, 9.6 tonnes of cocaine with a market value of nearly 519 million euros ($609 million) was seized from a boat,” said the Atlantic Maritime prefecture, adding that the vessel was unregistered in any country.
By the end of August, the French navy had already seized nearly six tonnes of cocaine in the same region.
With over 45 tonnes of drugs intercepted in 2025, French naval seizures have already reached a record level, Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, Chief of Naval Staff, confirmed.
Cocaine Seizures in 2025
| Date / Period | Location | Quantity Seized | Estimated Value | Notes |
| End of August | West Africa | ~6 tonnes | N/A | Prior major seizure |
| Monday (current) | Off West African coast | 9.6 tonnes | €519m / $609m | Vessel unregistered |
| Total 2025 | Gulf of Guinea | 45+ tonnes | N/A | Record year for Corymbe mission |
The Corymbe mission continues to combat drug trafficking, piracy, and maritime insecurity, reinforcing international cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea, one of the world’s most high-risk maritime regions.
