French authorities seized a record 4.87 tons of cocaine in Polynesia, targeting drug trafficking routes to Australia in a major operation.
French authorities announced that a record amount of cocaine was seized in the waters of French Polynesia as part of intensified operations against illegal drug trafficking over the Pacific Ocean. The operation once again highlighted the strengthening of international cooperation aimed at preventing drug transit in the region.
Suspect Vessel Stopped at Sea
The High Commissioner of French Polynesia reported that action was taken upon the detection of a suspicious vessel passing through the regional waters. French Navy units stopped the ship on Friday, January 16, and conducted a search.
During the searches, a total of 4.87 tons of cocaine, packaged in 96 bales, was seized. Authorities stated that this is one of the largest drug seizures recorded in the waters of French Polynesia to date.
Is Australia the Target?
Officials revealed that the seized cocaine originated from Central America and that it was suspected the shipment was intended for delivery to Australia rather than French Polynesia. Furthermore, the High Commissioner emphasized that French Polynesia occupies a strategic position on international drug trafficking routes.
New Regional Plan Proves Effective
The High Commissioner of French Polynesia stated that a new regional plan was recently implemented in the fight against drug trafficking and that this plan directly contributed to the record seizure levels.
The plan is based on strategic cooperation led by France, involving the United States, Australia, and other regional partners.
Praise from Australian Officials
The Australian Federal Police and the Australian Border Force congratulated the authorities in French Polynesia for the operation. Statements emphasized the strong and increasing regional cooperation against drug trafficking in the Pacific.
The Australian Federal Police had established a special unit called Taskforce Thunder in October 2025 to strengthen cooperation with law enforcement agencies in the Pacific region. It was noted that personnel were deployed across the Pacific to target serious and organized crime activities.
Extensive Security Network in the Pacific
The Australian Federal Police announced that they support 29 international crime investigation units across the Pacific and provide central coordination for intelligence coming from the region. These efforts are backed by a wide network consisting of more than 200 Australian Federal Police members operating worldwide.
The High Commissioner of French Polynesia emphasized that all public institutions and armed forces in the region have been mobilized at full capacity to combat drug trafficking.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
