John McCarthy
MARIGOT — French authorities on Saint Martin seized 285 kilograms (628 pounds) of cocaine worth some $27.4 million.
Gerald Darmanin, France’s minister of public action and accounts, said the bust took place on Monday when coastguards approached a boat in territorial waters near Saint Martin, an island 1,500 kilometres (932 miles) east of Cuba that is divided between France and the Netherlands.
“During the boat’s eventful inspection, two of the three passengers fled by diving into the sea with the aim of making it to shore. The pilot, then alone on board and very violent, tried to oppose the inspection,” the statement said.
“Onboard, customs officers found several bundles of a total weight of 285 kgs, with a street value of €24 million ($27,349,920).”
A second fast boat “immediately” turned around upon seeing the French authorities.
