top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

Cocaine bags continue to be found washed-up on beaches in Normandy

In the space of just four days, hundreds of kilograms of the drug have been discovered in hermetically-sealed bags

The second set of bags was discovered a few days after the first, with police advising that any possible future discoveries should be reported immediately Pic: Obatala-photography / Shutterstock

More bags of cocaine have been found washed up on beaches in Normandy, say local authorities. 

The latest discoveries were made on March 1 at Néville-sur-Mer and La Hague, situated on the  département’s northern coastline, either side of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin.

Around 1.5 tonnes of the drug has been found in sealed bags over the past few days, according to regional newspaper Ouest-France.

It comes just four days after hermetically-sealed bags containing cocaine were discovered washed up on Réville beach on Sunday February 26.

Sunday’s haul weighed around 850kg, according to the local prefecture. 

The prefecture said that authorities – including the maritime police – were investigating, and were also in contact with their UK counterparts. 

Helicopters have been circulating in recent days to check for more bags.

In a statement, the Préfecture Maritime said that if anyone sees any suspicious packages on the beach, they should immediately inform the gendarmerie on number 17 or 112). Any packages in the water should be reported to the Cross (196).

Read also: Legalise cannabis, say advisors to French state

‘Historic’ drug seizures in 2022

It comes after France’s interior minister announced that more than 156 tonnes of drugs were seized in the country last year.

Gérald Darmanin made the revelation as part of his annual report on the fight against drugs, alongside Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti, and Public Accounts Minister Gabriel Attal.

Darmanin said the drugs seized consisted of:

  • Cannabis: 128 tonnes (up 15% compared to 2021)
  • Cocaine: 27 tonnes (up 5%)
  • Heroin: 1.4 tonnes (up 8%)
  • Synthetics: 273 kilos (21%)

Mr Darmanin also said that 37,510 drug traffickers had been arrested in 2022 — a 5% rise compared to 2021.

Almost half of the cocaine seized came from the Antilles and French Guiana, he said. Mr Attal announced that a “historic” amount of cocaine had been seized at the port of Le Havre on February 19. “We must avoid this white tsunami from reaching our coasts,” he said.

All flights from Cayenne towards Paris are the subject of extra drug checks, Mr Darmanin added. These checks had “allowed us to intercept 170 mules and to stop more than 4,000 people from boarding the plane”, he said.

The minister also said that a “specific anti-drug office” is being set up at Le Havre, with 25 police officers dedicated to “fighting these [drug] networks”.

Related articles

Calls for harder line on drug driving after French actor’s crash 

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Healthcare in France*
Featured Help Guide
- Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors.
Get news, views and information from France