Record Seizure at Le Havre Port: Over Two Tons of Cocaine Discovered, Two Men Indicted

On December 30, 2024, more than two tons of cocaine were seized at the port of Le Havre (Seine-Maritime), leading to the indictment of a 22-year-old dockworker and a 41-year-old truck driver on Friday, January 3. The two men face charges of drug trafficking as part of an organized group, conspiracy, and smuggling dangerous goods harmful to public health. These offenses carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. According to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, the seized cocaine is valued at over €130 million on the retail market.

A Sophisticated Method Unveiled

The investigation, conducted by the Rouen gendarmerie’s research division and the OFAST (Anti-Narcotics Office), revealed a sophisticated smuggling technique: a “clone container” was introduced into the unloading area at the port. This container, marked identically to a legally registered one, allowed for a substitution to bypass scanning. “This is the first time we’ve seen this method used at Le Havre, though it is known to occur at other international ports,” explained Colonel Joël Kerleau, who leads the investigation.

Le Havre: A Key Entry Point for Drug Traffickers

According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, this seizure underscores the strategic role of Le Havre port as one of the main cocaine entry points into mainland France. A previous major seizure in March 2024 uncovered 2.7 tons of cocaine hidden in moving boxes arriving from Guadeloupe.

Reinforced Fight Against Narcotrafficking

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau praised the operation, stating on social media platform X that it demonstrates how “the fight against narcotrafficking is intensifying every day.” The investigation, now under the jurisdiction of the National Judicial Authority for Combating Organized Crime (Junalco), aims to identify all perpetrators and accomplices involved in the smuggling operation.

This significant seizure highlights the collaborative efforts of law enforcement and judicial authorities to combat the drug trade that continues to plague the nation.