A large quantity of drugs was discovered on Tuesday 30 April in a boat moored in Saint-Martin, a small island in the French West Indies

The ship’s crew managed to escape, leaving behind 1.8 tonnes of cocaine. This exceptional seizure was carried out by the departmental gendarmerie company of Saint-Martin-Saint-Barthélémy, according to a report by BFMTV, confirmed by H24 MEDIA.

The authorities were alerted by the arrival of an unidentified cigarette boat, equipped with powerful engines, in the island’s lagoon. After docking in Marigot Bay, the crew fled ashore, leaving behind several bundles of drugs.

The market value of the cocaine seized is estimated at 35 million euros. The public prosecutor’s office in Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe, has instructed the local branch of the Anti-Drug Office (OFAST) to continue the investigation. The crew members are being actively sought.

Gérald Darmanin, the French Minister of the Interior, praised the efforts of the Saint-Martin police force for this impressive seizure.