Authorities in French Polynesia Bust Cocaine Shipment to Australia

French navy seizes almost 5 tonnes of cocaine from ship in Pacific

Papeete (AFP) Jan 20, 2026 France's navy has seized 4.87 tonnes of cocaine, believed to be bound for Australia, from a fishing vessel in the South Pacific, French officials said. The vessel, coming from Central America, was intercepted on January 16, France's High Commission in French Polynesia said in a statement Monday, adding their armed forces mobilised "significant human and material resources" for the operation.

French Navy Seize Nearly 5 Tonnes Of Cocaine From Ship Bound For Australia

The seizure took place on January 16, 2026, when a French Navy vessel intercepted a suspicious ship in the French Polynesia maritime zone.

French Navy seizes 4.87 tonnes of cocaine in Polynesian waters - Maritimes Crimes

French naval forces have seized 4.87 tonnes of cocaine aboard a fishing vessel intercepted in the maritime zone of French Polynesia. The operation, conducted on 16 January, is one of the largest narcotics seizures ever recorded in the South Pacific, according to French authorities. Pacific drug route toward Australia confirmed The vessel, originating from Central America, was tracked while transiting the Pacific Ocean before being intercepted by…

Pacific drug route in focus as French Polynesia seizure renews attention on Tonga’s regional exposure

A massive cocaine seizure in French Polynesia has once again drawn attention to maritime drug trafficking routes across small island states, including the wider region in which Tonga sits, on the way to larger markets such as Australia and New Zealand. The seizure of 4.87 tonnes of cocaine in French Polynesia’s maritime zone, reportedly bound […] The post Pacific drug route in focus as French Polynesia seizure renews attention on Tonga’s regiona…

4.87 tonnes of cocaine seized in French Polynesian waters – bound for Australia

RNZ Pacific France’s High Commission in French Polynesia has reported the seizure of 4.87 tonnes of cocaine in its maritime zone. The armed forces in French Polynesia (FAPF), the national gendarmerie and the local branch of the anti-narcotics office (OFAST) were involved in the intercept. A statement from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have congratulated authorities in French Polynesia over the reported seizure, with the drugs reportedly bo…

Authorities in French Polynesia Bust Cocaine Shipment to Australia

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Border Force have congratulated authorities in French Polynesia over the reported seizure of about 4.87 tonnes of cocaine intercepted in the Pacific Ocean, with the drugs reportedly bound…