France seizes $260 million cocaine shipment concealed in plastic waste from Ghana

Paris, France | September 11, 2026

French customs authorities have seized nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine, with an estimated street value of about €225 million ($260 million), from a shipping container that arrived at the northern French port of Dunkirk from Ghana.

The seizure was made after French customs officers discovered 167 packages of cocaine concealed among plastic waste inside the container. French authorities said the shipment was initially destined, at least in part, for the Belgian port of Antwerp. (MarketScreener⁠)

The seizure was carried out by customs officers at the Port of Dunkirk. French prosecutors subsequently opened a criminal investigation into the shipment and handed the case to the country’s anti narcotics office, OFAST.

Authorities said the criminal network suspected of organising the shipment was already being monitored by France’s judicial police before the seizure.

Investigation underway

The French National Anti Organised Crime Prosecutor’s Office said the investigation is examining alleged offences including the acquisition, possession, transportation and distribution of narcotics, organised importation of drugs and participation in a criminal association.

The offences under investigation carry prison sentences of up to 10 years under French law. (leprogres.fr⁠)

French authorities have also confirmed that the seized cocaine has been destroyed.

The investigation is continuing as authorities work to identify those responsible for arranging the shipment and determine the wider network behind the operation.

Possible Dutch connection

The seizure has also attracted attention in the Netherlands. Dutch authorities have arrested a man in Dordrecht in connection with the nearly 4,000 kilogramme cocaine shipment.

The Dutch Public Prosecution Service said the man was arrested on September 4 and is suspected of involvement in preparations to import cocaine into the Netherlands. He has since been remanded in custody for another two weeks. (NL Times⁠)

Dutch media have reported possible links between the shipment and the criminal organisation associated with fugitive Dutch drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers, popularly known as “Bolle Jos.” However, Dutch prosecutors have not confirmed that Leijdekkers was involved in this particular shipment. (NL Times⁠)

Ghana connection

The French authorities have identified Ghana as the origin of the container carrying the cocaine. However, the seizure itself does not establish that Ghanaian authorities, businesses or individuals were involved in the trafficking operation.

Investigators are expected to trace the shipment’s origin, the parties involved in its export and the criminal network that allegedly organised the attempted importation into Europe.

French customs reported that they seized 108.81 tonnes of narcotics of all types in 2025, with an estimated value of €2.197 billion. More than 84 tonnes of cocaine were reportedly seized in France that year by investigative services. (MarketScreener⁠)