Record Cannabis Haul Intercepted at Port of Sète in Franco-Moroccan Operation

A coordinated operation between French and Moroccan law enforcement agencies has resulted in the seizure of a record 2.7 tons of cannabis resin at the Port of Sète. The drugs, estimated to be worth over 20 million euros on the resale market, were discovered hidden within a van that had just disembarked from a car ferry arriving from Morocco.

The operation, led by the Lille gendarmerie's research section with support from the GIGN tactical unit, culminated on May 24th. The judicial investigation, initiated six weeks prior on April 13th, targeted an international drug trafficking ring suspected of importing cannabis from Morocco into France, specifically the Lille metropolitan area.

French judicial authorities detailed that the 2,692 kg of narcotics, primarily cannabis resin, were seized upon the vehicle's arrival in Sète. The success of the operation was significantly attributed to the upstream involvement of Morocco's General Directorate for National Security (DGSN), which worked closely with French investigators to track the transport vehicle.

In addition to the seizure at the port, a simultaneous raid in the Île-de-France region led to the arrest of a second individual believed to be the network's logistician. Investigators found 34,000 euros in cash and another vehicle at his residence. Both men have been charged with criminal association and organized drug importation. The van driver has been placed in pre-trial detention.