French Polynesia police seize 400kg of cocaine

2:07 pm on 9 October 2017

Police in French Polynesia have seized more than 400 kilogrammes of cocaine on a yacht arriving in the Marquesas.

cocaine

Photo: AFP

The public broadcaster said the catamaran had been under surveillance for several days as it was suspected to be transporting the banned drug.

It said, at the weekend, a maritime surveillance plane flew customs agents and police to Nuku Hiva where they proceeded to detain the vessel and the crew.

It's not known how many people were onboard but reports said they were being flown to Papeete for questioning.

The confiscated drugs reportedly weighed between 400 and 600 kilogrammes.

No further information has been given about the vessel or crew.

In January, customs officials found 800 kilograms of cocaine on a yacht seized in Tahiti only days after finding 600 kilograms of the drug on another yacht off the Marquesas.

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