France records historic 84.3-tonne cocaine seizure in 2025
France seized record 84.3 tonnes of cocaine in 2025 targeting Barcelona-Perpignan trafficking corridor.
Event / Security
France Cocaine Trafficking Operations
Multiple cocaine seizures and enforcement operations in southern France, including a major 930 kg seizure in Pyrénées-Orientales. France seized 84.3 tonnes of cocaine in 2025, with the Barcelona-Perpignan corridor emerging as a significant smuggling route into Europe.
7 reported locations
Daily activity
5 articles0 articles
2026-09-07 to 2026-11-06 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 7 Sept, 12:36 UTC
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What happened
84.3 tonnes of cocaine seized in France during 2025
French anti-drug authorities seized 84.3 tonnes of cocaine in France during 2025, including 59.5 tonnes transported by sea. Cocaine is the second most consumed illicit substance globally after cannabis, and consumption among French adults has increased significantly over the past decade.
930 kg of cocaine seized in Pyrénées-Orientales after police chase
French gendarmerie seized 930 kilograms of cocaine in Montbolo, Pyrénées-Orientales during a nighttime chase involving a convoy of three vehicles from Spain. One vehicle in the convoy collided with a police vehicle, leaving two gendarmes slightly injured.
20-year-old man charged and detained in connection with cocaine seizure
A 20-year-old man from Oise was charged and detained in Paris following the cocaine seizure. He was charged with importing narcotics as part of an organized group and criminal association. He was driving one of the vehicles in the convoy fleeing from Spain.
16-year-old girl reported missing in Pyrénées-Orientales
Anaïs Verdu-Tomas, a 16-year-old girl, disappeared from her home on Wednesday, September 2 around 6:30 AM in Bages. She was supposed to take the bus to attend classes at Lycée Léon-Blum in Perpignan (Moulin-à-Vent) but never arrived at school. Authorities believe it may be a runaway case, as this is not her first disappearance.
1.8 tonnes of cocaine seized in one week in Pyrénées-Orientales
The 930 kg seizure brought the total cocaine seized in the department to 1.8 tonnes in one week, with operations involving customs, national police, and gendarmes all contributing to the results.
930 kg of cocaine seized in Pyrénées-Orientales after vehicle chase
Gendarmes intercepted a convoy of three vehicles transporting cocaine from Spain in the night of Friday to Saturday. During the operation, a driver of one vehicle deliberately rammed a gendarme vehicle, injuring two gendarmes slightly. A brief chase ensued before the collision. Officers searched all three vehicles and found 930 kg of cocaine distributed among them.
84.3 tonnes of cocaine seized in France in 2025
According to the Office anti-stupéfiants (Ofast), France seized 84.3 tonnes of cocaine in 2025, with 59.5 tonnes transported by maritime routes.
Two gendarmes injured during cocaine trafficking operation
Two gendarmes sustained light injuries when a vehicle driver deliberately rammed their gendarme vehicle during an operation to intercept a drug convoy in Pyrénées-Orientales.
Cocaine becoming increasingly trafficked via Barcelona-Perpignan highway
The Barcelona-Perpignan highway (A9 route) has emerged as a new entry point for cocaine into France. Seizures on this route increased from 400 kg in 2023 to 495 kg in 2024, representing a shift in trafficking patterns as this route was traditionally used for cannabis from Morocco.
Cocaine trafficking case escalated to national organized crime unit
The Perpignan prosecutor's office transferred the cocaine seizure case to the Parquet National Anti-Criminalité Organisée (Pnaco) after investigations determined the convoy was part of an international criminal organization.
One cocaine trafficker arrested in Pyrénées-Orientales operation
One of the convoy drivers was arrested during the operation. The suspect is a man in his twenties originally from the Paris region.
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2 alternative perspectives
20-year-old arrested after 930 kg cocaine seizure in Montbolo
20-year-old arrested after 930 kg cocaine seizure in Montbolo police chase.
16-year-old girl missing in Pyrénées-Orientales amid trafficking surge
16-year-old reported missing in Pyrénées-Orientales trafficking hotspot.
Pyrénées-Orientales enforcement surge yields 1.8 tonnes cocaine seized
Pyrénées-Orientales enforcement surge nets 1.8 tonnes cocaine, one arrest, organized crime escalation.
France seizes 84.3 tonnes of cocaine as Barcelona-Perpignan route surges
France seized 84.3 tonnes of cocaine amid rising trafficking via Barcelona-Perpignan corridor.