A little more than 500 kg of cocaine, as well as 8,000 euros, were seized almost a week ago aboard a Spanish ship in Tahiti in French Polynesia, AFP learned on Sunday from the gendarmerie.
On December 23, the “Bougainville”, an overseas support and assistance vessel (BSAOM) of the French navy, boarded the “Raymi”, a fishing vessel flying the Spanish flag, south of the exclusive economic zone ( EEZ) of French Polynesia.
On this boat, the national navy discovered eleven bales, containing 524 kg of cocaine, the gendarmerie told AFP. The 14 crew members were arrested and around 8,000 euros were also seized, she added.
The operation was carried out thanks to international cooperation, involving the command of the Gendarmerie for French Polynesia, in particular the branch of the Anti-Narcotics Office (OFAST) in Papeete, and the Australian Federal Police.
The “Raymi”, escorted by the “Bougainville”, arrived in Papeete early Saturday morning, the gendarmerie further clarified.
The investigation is now being carried out under the authority of the Papeete public prosecutor’s office.
