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Major Drug Bust on French Highways
French authorities have intercepted a massive cocaine shipment worth €72 million, arresting two Dutch truck drivers in coordinated operations. The 35- and 53-year-old drivers were transporting approximately 1.5 tons of cocaine each when they were apprehended at separate locations along the A10 highway.
Coordinated International Operation
The investigation began after French customs received intelligence about the shipment's movement from Portugal through Spain. Authorities tracked both vehicles from the Spanish border, culminating in simultaneous arrests near Tours and Saint-Arnoult. The cocaine was concealed in light brown jute bags within the trucks' cargo compartments.
'This operation demonstrates our commitment to combating international drug trafficking networks,' stated a French customs official who requested anonymity due to the ongoing investigation.
European Cocaine Crisis
The bust occurs amid what French authorities describe as a 'tsunami blanc' (white flood) of cocaine entering Europe. In 2024 alone, French customs seized over 50 tons of cocaine - a 130% increase compared to the previous year. European ports in Belgium, Netherlands, and Southern Europe continue to serve as major entry points for South American cocaine.
According to European drug enforcement reports, the Netherlands plays a pivotal role in cocaine distribution across the continent. The current investigation focuses on identifying the organized crime syndicates behind this shipment.
Ongoing Investigation
The Paris Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into 'drug importation and trafficking by an organized criminal group.' Both drivers remain in custody as authorities work to uncover the network's leadership and distribution channels.
