Home Africa French helicopter carrier seizes EUR150M worth of cocaine off Sierra Leone

French helicopter carrier seizes EUR150M worth of cocaine off Sierra Leone

FS Tonnerre drug haul off Sierra Leone
Photo: French Navy

A French Navy helicopter carrier has intercepted 4.6 tons of cocaine in an operation off the coast of Sierra Leone.

The multi-national operation took place on November 30 and saw FS Tonnerre intercept a cocaine haul worth an estimated 150 million euros.

A 21 meter-long Brazilian vessel from which the narcotics were seized was headed towards Europe at the time of the interception, according to EUROPOL. The operation was a result of intelligence activities between Europol, MAOC-N and the authorities in Brazil, France, the United Kingdom and the United States.

An investigation is underway to identify the criminal groups involved on either side of the Atlantic Ocean.

FS Tonnerre is underway in the waters off West Africa as part of operation Corymbe, which the ship started in October this year after completing a six-month overhaul this summer.

Tonnerre is one of three Mistral-class amphibious assault ships in service with the French Navy. The 199-meter ships displace 21,500 tons and have helipad and hangar space for 16 helicopters.

Their well decks can accommodate 60 armored vehicles or 13 tanks that are carried ashore on landing craft. They can also transport 400 to 900 soldiers and feature a 69-bed hospital, including two operating rooms.