World · Europe · 7 hrs ago
French gendarmes search for possible 15-tonne cocaine cargo off Atlantic coast
French gendarmes are searching for a possible 15-tonne cocaine cargo after receiving information that it may have been dumped at sea.
The search covers the coast of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, from Gironde to the Basque Country, in south-western France.
The information suggests a boat may have released the cargo in the Atlantic, but the suspected dump has not been confirmed.
Gendarmes are using helicopters, sea searches and beach patrols to find packages that could be carried ashore by currents and tides.
No packages had been found, and the beaches remained open at the time of the reports.
The mayor of Lacanau said he was in contact with the local authorities and would seek a beach closure if a package were spotted.
Searches and patrols are expected to continue, though the precise location where any packages might wash ashore is unknown.
Gendarmes are searching along France’s Atlantic coast after receiving information that a cargo of about 15 tonnes of cocaine may have been dumped at sea.
The possible cargo could wash ashore between the Gironde estuary and Hendaye, though its landing place cannot be predicted.
Searches involve air, sea and land patrols, with gendarmes monitoring beaches and waters.
No cocaine packages had been found and no arrests had been made in the reports.
The alert followed a suspected interception at sea that may have prompted traffickers to dump the cargo.
- Who
- Gendarmes in Gironde, Landes and the Basque Country are searching; maritime gendarmes are also involved.
- What
- They are looking for a possible 15-tonne cocaine cargo dumped at sea.
- When
- Tuesday, 27 October 2026; searches were under way from the morning.
- Where
- Along the Atlantic coast of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, between the Gironde area and Hendaye.
- Why
- Authorities received information that a cargo may have been dumped after an interception at sea.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Cocaine packages washed up on Atlantic beaches, including at Lacanau.
Gendarmes in Gironde received information about a possible 15-tonne cocaine dump at sea.
Two gendarmerie helicopters and land and sea resources were deployed along the coast, according to Sud Ouest.
A patrol checked about ten people at Lacanau, but no arrests were made.
- Possible cargo
- 15 tonnes of cocaine
- Search area
- Between Soulac-sur-Mer and Hendaye
- Search resources
- Two gendarmerie helicopters, plus land and sea patrols
- Packages
- Estimated at 20 to 30 kilograms each
- Lacanau
- No beach closure order had been issued on 27 October
3 sources
Cocaïne : 15 tonnes de drogue pourraient s’échouer sur les plages des Landes et du Pays basque
Nouvelle-Aquitaine : les gendarmes en alerte sur un possible échouage de ballots de cocaïne sur le littoral
La gendarmerie s'active pour intercepter une cargaison de 15 tonnes de cocaïne sur les plages de la côte atlantique
What people are saying
go for a run on the beach