French Navy seizes over 4 metric tons of cocaine in the South Pacific

This undated handout photo released by the Marine Nationale (French Navy) and made available on February 5, 2026, shows bales of cocaine seized by the French Navy in the maritime zone of French Polynesia. HANDOUT / AFP

France's navy has seized 4.25 metric tons of cocaine from a ship in the South Pacific, officials said on Wednesday, February 4. The vessel, from Central America and believed bound for South Africa, was intercepted in French Polynesia, the country's high commission in the island territory said.

Its cargo was destroyed at sea, away from the Polynesian economic zone and marine protected area, officials told AFP.

The prosecutor's office did not bring charges so as not to burden the local court with a case of drug trafficking not destined for French Polynesia itself.

The high commission said the vessel and its crew were freed under international law.